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With four children and nine grandchildren, I have fixed and continue to fix a lot of meals! Some of the grandkids will eat almost anything you put in front of them, and others are more picky. Sometimes when serving a meal, I hear someone say, “I don’t like this,” to which I respond, “Have you tasted it?” And you know the answer is usually no. My batting average isn’t great getting grandkids to taste new things, but when they do, they often like it.

David basically says the same thing in Psalm 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” David continues by declaring some things we will discover when we accept the taste test concerning God’s goodness. When we take refuge in the Lord, we quickly discover that we are blessed as we experience his goodness and his protection.

A few verses later, David adds to the benefits we enjoy when we place our lives in God’s sheltering arms. Verse 15 tells us that God’s eyes and ears are watching out for us and listening to our cries for help. Isn’t it amazing to consider that God is always watching out for us? We know from other psalms that God not only has his eyes on us, he also illuminates our path so that we are aligned with his kingdom purposes.

Sometimes, in the middle of a difficult situation or season, we might wonder, “Where is God?” David assures us that when things are hard, God is neither absent nor inattentive. Verse 18 reminds us that when our hearts are broken, God doesn’t move away from us. He rushes to us with the healing touch of his Spirit.

Those of us who are not currently experiencing the heartbreak of loss can pray that God reveals the people around us whom we can pray for, call to encourage, or visit to offer support. We are the hands and feet of Jesus in the difficult moments those around us are experiencing.

As David concluded this psalm, he reminds us that God’s plan for his children is one of redemption and refuge. When we surrender our lives to the Father and accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross which paid for our sins, we can rest assured that there is not condemnation coming our way.

“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (22)

Father, thank you for redeeming us. Thank you for challenging us to “taste and see” your goodness to us every day. Thank you for your faithfulness as our refuge. Today, we ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit and guide us to someone we can remind of your great promises of comfort and provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.