My daughter and her husband both love ice cream. She always ribs him because he asks, “is yours good?” meaning he wants to taste hers too. She forgets that when she was small and said she wanted to share, it meant she wanted to taste ours. If I asked her for a bite, she would give me the smallest possible taste- a cracker or cookie crumb sized morsel.
My grandmother and my son’s mother-in-law, on the other hand, believe in generous portions and as a guest at their tables, your plate is never empty for long. My grandfather always said, “if you go away hungry, it’s your own fault.” I believe that is exactly what King David had in mind when he wrote Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
“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.”
Psalms 34:1-3 NLT
His praise is abundant and overflows with joy. He testifies of the Lord’s greatness and His provision for those who trust in Him, and he challenges those who have not known or trusted in the Lord to taste for themselves of this bounty.
With the reemergence of large gatherings like concerts, sporting events, and parades and the opening of Disney and other parks, I’m reminded of the suffocating feeling of elbowing my way through crowds, vying for a line of sight. Venues with tiered seating are a must for families or groups with multiple small children,still sometimes the view is interrupted. On the rare occasion, the tall man in front of our row or the elderly couple waiting along the parade route turned and asked, “can you see?” As our small children were propelled to the front ahead of us, we expressed sincere gratitude. Recalling those moments, I think of a quote I saw on social media recently.
We should say less about what we have done for God and more about what God has done for us.
(Paraphrased)
How readily do I offer my view to someone else? Opinions run rampant on every available media outlet. What am I sharing? When I choose to share, where do I aim the spotlight? Am I more concerned that people see me or that they see Jesus? My life and my words must agree that Jesus is Lord, but more than that, my words must be appetizing.
Jesus taught, “You are the salt of the earth.
But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
Do good deeds! Share good words, by all means, but remember to Whom all praise is due. “Every good and perfect gift is from God.” (James 1:17) Any good thing I think, or say, or do is from God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. One day, every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) Until that great and glorious day, let my words and actions give the same invitation that Jesus gave to his very first followers, “Come along and see for yourself.” (John 1:39 MSG) Come, taste and see that the Lord is good.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14 NLT
A Fitting Reply 