Oh, Taste and See

I don’t know about you, but I did plenty of tasting this Thanksgiving. In fact, I sort of used the whole week as a blanket excuse to taste. I know this is a problem that will catch up with me in the (not-so-distant) future, but this wasn’t the time to worry about it. Come to think of it, neither is the rest of this year. 

It won’t surprise you to learn that I love food. I consider it to be a treat, a blessing, and means of celebration. And you know what? God designed it that way. Our gracious God, who could have made us photosynthetic, chose instead to put the first man and woman in a garden. He surrounded them with ripe, juicy fruit. He blessed them with an abundance of tastes and textures. And then he came down and walked around the garden with them in the cool of the evening. Adam and Eve could literally taste and see the goodness of God all around. 

Turkey, Stuffing, and Beyond

Psalm 34 is chock full of truths about God that make you want to celebrate. It’s the source of the verse, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” While that verse is apropos for a Thanksgiving meal, it’s also talking about the goodness of God in every facet of life. And the rest of the Psalm is just as fitting for this season of gratefulness. Verse 3 says, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” For believers, that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. In fact, it’s what every day should be about. 

I had the privilege of studying this Psalm with a group of ladies at church last week, and it was encouraging to hear them share about God’s goodness in this passage and in their own lives. I left with the realization of how often I choose worry and complaint over praise and thanks. Considering all the bountiful blessings that God lavishes on me daily, my attitude is the epitome of ingratitude. God deserves much better.

Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Praise

So this Thanksgiving season, I want to redirect my thoughts and my heart. I want my life to exude gratitude. I want His praise to “continually be in my mouth.” Will you join me in meditating on these beautiful verses? I’ve put only the first bit of the Psalm here, but you can also check out the whole chapter for yourself! And if you’d like to share something you’re thankful for in the comments below, please feel free. Let us exalt his name together! 

So from Past Watchful Dragons, happy Thanksgiving, friends. 

Psalm 34

¹I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!