Happy Monday!
O taste and see that the LORD is good:… – Psalm 34:8a
This morning as I was having my first cup of hot, aromatic coffee along with my favorite meal, breakfast, I was thankful for a good appetite! Plus, my taste buds are still good. Not everyone is so blessed, unfortunately.
If the question were asked, “What is your favorite meal or food?” we would give many different answers. Then at those things, others of us might reply, “Yuck!” My mother was a good cook, and I grew up liking all foods. One vegetable in particular that I like is rutabaga, which is not a usual favorite of most people. The last time I purchased it, the clerk asked, “What are these? How do you use them?” Poor guy! I tried to explain why all but two or three of my family members request that we have it at any large family meal. Rutabaga is an acquired taste. If you think about it, all foods that have become part of our food choices now we had once learned to enjoy.
I believe love for God and His Word is an acquired taste. Too many who have been saved and born again depend on a pastor, a radio program, etc. to “feed” them.
Matthew 5:6 says, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Then why do we feel that we lack? Could it be because we are not eating regularly? Our appetites become dulled with the busyness of life—electronic devices, cell phones, etc.—and we become malnourished.
I Peter 2:2-3 gives a “recipe” for growing spiritually. We must desire God’s Word as an infant who cries for the milk he needs. We must take the time to meditate and to taste how gracious our Lord is. Then we will want to spend more time with the One Who said, …I am the bread of life:… His bread is always fresh. The longer I live and the more I study the Scripture, the more exciting and “new” it is. Just think: God speaks to us in His Word.
The prophet Jeremiah was called to a difficult job—to preach to the Israelites about their coming captivity. He did not “sugar coat” the approaching judgment. He was not popular to say the least! Life was hard! How did he remain faithful to his duty? This “weeping prophet,” as he was called, said, Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:… (Jeremiah 15:16a) He feasted on and digested the goodness of God in the midst of trouble. His weeping turned to joy.
What power is found in the time spent with God and His Word! Should we not set aside a daily and regular time to “taste” the goodness of God? If we fail to plan, we plan to fail!
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! – Psalm 119:103
by Beverly Hyles
From the Mondays with Beverly blog. Reprinted with permission.
