decisions/guidance

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Psalm 34:8 – O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

There are times when we are offered sample foods or want to try (or taste) what someone else has. When we try (or taste) the particular item, we make a determination on whether we want more for ourselves. The same occurrence happens for those in the Lord.

Taste and See

When a person is first introduced to the Lord, they enter into a ‘trial period.’ They may wonder what Christianity is about and desire to learn more about God. Sometimes they have no idea what to expect when they come to church or meet other Christians. They are coming for a taste.

Others may experience a situation where the Lord intercedes on their behalf or another person close to them. They have become first-hand witnesses of something the Lord has done. They have received a taste.

The taste we receive is an understanding that the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy (Psalm 103:8). We taste His goodness, mercy, love, and grace. We witness His care and concern for His children and even those that are far from Him. We see this and can testify to it. We have received a taste.

Trust

As we come to take a sample of something and find that it’s good, we’ll typically go out to purchase more for ourselves. If we tried a sample food at a restaurant and like it, the next time we return, we’ll request a platter for ourselves. We have come to trust in that taste.

When a person asked for your help and you came to their aid, that person learned that you were dependable and could be relied upon for further assistance. That person has come to trust in that taste.

As we learn more about the Lord’s goodness, we too must come to trust in the ‘taste’ we received from Him. In doing so, we must understand the following:

1. We can no longer take samples. Have you ever seen someone trying to become full eating only samples? That person would eat countless samples hoping to be filled without buying the product. Samples are good, but as we learn that they are good, we must move on to the purchase. As we tasted and found how good the Lord is, we must move on to trusting in Him.

2. Trusting God will cost you. The word trust is translated in the original Hebrew as to confide or hope in God.¹ In the best and worse of days, you can place your trust, confidence, and hope in the Lord. You have already tasted that He is good, merciful, and loving. Now, He wants you to trust Him in the quiet seasons of your life; in the moments when there seems like there’s no way out; to trust in His decisions and Word when everyone else doubts. This is where He wants us to be. Tasting is free. Trusting will require a lot more.

3. People that trust in the Lord are blessed. The Hebrew word for blessed is translated as happiness or blessedness.² Those that trust in the Lord become happy in Him. This is more than what a sampling of God can provide. This happiness fills the heart and soul as you immerse yourself more in the Lord. An intimacy develops that draws you closer, wanting more.

A taste of the Lord cannot give you the same ‘experience’ as trusting in Him. The Lord is good and merciful to the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45), but there are some things we may not be able to attest to without a taste of His goodness and love.

^{1: Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for chacah (Strong’s 2620)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 5 Feb 2012. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2620&t=KJV. 2: Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for ‘esher (Strong’s 835)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 5 Feb 2012.http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H835&t=KJV.}