“O taste and see that the LORD [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalms 34:8 AMP

Today we are challenged by the Lord to come and experience for ourselves His goodness and grace! I could not think of a better analogy than this when it comes to experiencing God. Before the day that eating out became an everyday experience, it was an exciting event that happened maybe once every few months. The excitement of going to the restaurant, thinking about all the good choices, reliving the previous visit you could almost smell the food cooking in the air! Everyone would dress up because it was usually a Sunday afternoon or evening experience, and we knew we must be on our best behavior or that would be the last visit for us. Heading up to the buffet you could see and smell and imagine how good all the choices were, but the real experience was in tasting the food! Unfortunately, the practice of “fast-food” has taken away the value of the “dining out” experience and the quality of the food as well. How like our relationship with the Lord! 

Our verse today speaks about the place of intimacy with God. In a first encounter we see that Jesus took the same approach with those who chose to follow Him! In the book of John we read about this encounter with potential followers.

“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they [n]followed Jesus. 38And Jesus turned and saw them following Him, and asked them, “What do you want?” They answered Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went [with Him] and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.” John 1:35-19 AMP

Doo you see it? “Come, and you will see.” There is no other way to know God than to “go and see!” I hear many people talk about what they think about God, bit they have never really encountered Him in a living and dynamic way. I remember that the very first Scripture I ever read was James 1:5.

“5If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]..” Jame 1:5-8 AMP

I clearly remember saying that night, “OK, I want to know who you are!” From that moment on my life was transformed! That is a challenge that God will not back away from. Let him who desires to be free call upon His name and God will move heaven and hell to answer that request. The quid-pro-quo, you must believe. That means you must give God a chance to experience His love. It didn’t take long for God to show me that He was what He claimed to be! Instantly delivered from the drugs and the additions that were destroying my life. I choose that day to taste and see if the Lord He is good! I am reminded of the Mission of Christ,

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah), BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. 

HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy),

19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” 20Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him. 21He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” Luke 4:18-21 AMP

I want to encourage you today to go, taste, and see that Lord, He is good! It is the reality of our experiences with God that allows us to face the ever-changing landscape of life. The world can take my home, possessions, money, and even my life, but they can never take the truth that I know in whom I believe, and He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him against that day! Have A blessed and fruitful day! Pastor Ken