Taste!

Red Velvet with rich Butter Cream frosting- my husband’s favorite cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s also my youngest son’s favorite, his special request for his wedding cake. His sister did the honors and it was beautiful and delicious! I can describe in vivid detail-its airy yet dense texture, its vivid color and its delectable flavor, but I cannot taste it for you. There’s only so much I can imagine on your behalf. The savoring comes with tasting it for yourself. Have you ever, after tasting one bite of something, immediately wanted to share it with someone- anyone? “You’ve got to try this!” It’s why we love Pinterest and recipe bloggers, but there is One taste sensation that can never be improved upon!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.”

Psalms 34:8-10 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.34.8-10.nlt

David described the goodness of God in so many beautiful ways! He is our Strong Fortress, a Mighty Tower where we can run for safety. (Psalm 62:6) The Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) and our Rock and Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) He is Father to the fatherless who places the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:5) He is God, our Savior, the Hope of everyone on earth!(Psalm 65:5)

“I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

Psalms 63:6-8 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.63.6-8.nlt

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.”

Psalms 119:103 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.119.103.

Just before offering a taste of God’s goodness to His people, David shared his own experience with the Lord. When you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, you too have tasted His goodness! Each of us, as His beloved children who “received Him, believing in His name,” (John 1:12) can attest to His goodness in many ways as well! When we share our stories with those around us on any given day, we should follow with the same invitation, “You’ve got to try this!”

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.”

Psalms 34:1-7 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.34.1-7.nlt

As we share our stories, we must remember that Jesus gave His disciples a warning when he sent out the 72 to share the Good News. ““Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.””

Luke 10:16 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/luk.10.16.niv

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/1co.1.18.nlt

The final instructions of Jesus were very clear! He does not hold us accountable for the choices of others! Revelation 19 describes the wedding feast of the Lamb in detail, saying blessed are all who are invited. The pandemic of this past year made such an invitation even more valuable! To be included in the guest list under quarantine regulations was quite an honor! When you trusted Jesus, your invitation was secured. Jesus’s parable in Matthew 22 tells of a wedding feast that was prepared for guests who refused to attend, so the servants were told to “go into the streets and invite anyone you find!” This is our commission to take the Good News to the ends of the earth!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/mat.28.18-20.niv

Have you tasted for yourself the goodness of God? Only you can tell your story. Only you can offer a taste to your neighbor. There is a wedding feast, all are invited, and the guests will represent every nation, tribe and tongue! (Revelation 7:9) This is one wedding you don’t want to miss! I’ll see you there!