Taste And See That The Lord Is Good
The tanginess of cranberry sauce. The sweet gooey goodness of pecan pie. The salty richness of gravy on fresh mashed potatoes. There’s not much that can match a Thanksgiving spread. Yet the warmth of Thanksgiving is far more than turkey and stuffing (or dressing?), it’s the experience of Thanksgiving that amplifies our love for the holiday. It’s the feeling of home, the gathering of close friends and family, and the traditions that endure through the decades. Thanksgiving invites us to slow down and savor not just our foods, but the blessings God has so graciously given us.
Thanksgiving invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good.
But what does it mean to taste and see that the Lord is good?
God’s Goodness in Psalm 34
We gain great understanding in Psalm 34. As David pens this psalm, he’s on the run. Saul, the king of Israel, seeks to destroy David out of jealousy (1 Samuel 21). And so David flees to Gath—an unlikely place—the hometown of Goliath the Philistine, whom he killed (1 Samuel 17). There, he fell into the hands of the king of Gath. In fear, David pretended he was a madman. He let saliva drip down his beard and began scratching the doorposts. Sure enough, David’s plan worked. God mercifully allowed David to escape from Gath without a scratch. David was sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord was near. David experienced God’s goodness. David tasted and saw that the Lord is good, and he invites others to do the same. Psalm 34 is an overflow of gratitude.
God’s Goodness in Our Stories
Our personal testimonies of God’s movement in our lives teach us about His abundant love. Psalm 34 is a kind of personal testimony. David sought the Lord and God answered him (verse 4). He rescued him from His fears and saved him from trouble (verses 4–6).
You, child of God, have a story that proclaims the Lord’s goodness, just as David’s does. What if, this Thanksgiving, you paused to intentionally trace His hand upon your life? What if you allowed your experiences to lead you to worship, just as David did?
Perhaps this Thanksgiving, reasons for worship seem distant. Perhaps your relationship with God feels shallow. Maybe you feel far from grateful today. David’s reflections remind us of key truths—truths that remind us of God’s care for us in our most trying seasons. David’s experiences taught him that God is readily listening for His people’s cries (verse 15)—that God is especially near to the brokenhearted (verse 18). God redeems the broken and messy lives of His servants (verse 22). When we don’t feel heard, when God does not feel near, we can look upon David’s faith to bolster our own. We can look to the cross that teaches us the truth of God’s nearness. There, we can find a reason for thanksgiving.
God’s Goodness In Sending Jesus
Psalm 34 points us to Jesus. God heard our cries for help, and sent His only Son to rescue us. God came near to the brokenhearted in flesh. Jesus touched the lepers, gave sight to the blind, and proclaimed good news to the poor (Matthew 11:5). Jesus took our sins upon Himself and died so that we may have life. By His wounds, we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). The Lord redeems the life of His servants in Jesus. If our bank accounts are slim, if family feels distant, if we are plagued with anxiety today, Christ gives us a reason for gratitude. We are not alone. God has come near.
This Thanksgiving, and all our days to come, may we bless the Lord at all times alongside David. May His praise be always on our lips, for our God has redeemed us. He has called us by name. We are His (Isaiah 43:1).
As you savor each bite of delicious food this Thanksgiving, may you also savor God’s goodness in your life. May you taste and see that the Lord is good. May you recall God’s hand upon your life and be convinced of His love. May you remember your salvation in Christ and be overcome with gratitude. May we be a people who exalt His name forever. The turkey will get eaten; the pumpkin pie won’t last long, but God’s goodness will never run out on us. And that’s a reason to be thankful.
Try journaling these prompts below to inspire gratitude this Thanksgiving:
How have you experienced God’s goodness this year?
What prayers has He answered?
What has He taught you about Himself?
