Posted by Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Do you hope to spend eternity praising God? At the judgement seat of Christ, do you hope to hear Jesus say “well done my good and faithful servant? David found the answers that quieted his fears, strengthened his faith, and transformed his life.
When David encountered grace he was never the same. He wanted everyone to experience God and His infinite goodness. David was saying “you’ve got to experience this.” In other words, You won’t understand unless to see for yourself. The word taste is “tāʿam” meaning to “taste,” or perceive”. When it comes to genuine grace, you have to experience it to appreciate it.
An Encounter with Undeserved Favor
We see another encounter with grace take place in the temple courts, where Jesus was about to teach the people who were gathered there. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law brought in a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand before all the people.
Imagine the shame and humiliation she must have felt, standing in front of those people. She was guilty and didn’t deny it, the law required judgment, and the Pharisees insisted on it. How did Jesus respond? He demonstrated mercy and grace.
After stooping down and writing on the ground, He says “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Upon hearing this they left one after another. Jesus then asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus then says. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (see John 8:1-8)
She, though guilty, encountered grace and not judgment (Jesus would take that for her). She received no condemnation from Jesus, even though the law required it. In her encounter with grace she received mercy, she received forgiveness, and was warned about a life of sin, she was released with her dignity restored.
Taste and See that The Lord is Good
Indescribable Joy follows all who encounter the God of all grace. Christ’s finished work forgives all sin, past present and future. Our sins are washed away in the blood of the cross. Instead of guilt and shame, mercy and undeserved favor prevails.
Like David, who committed adultery, and the woman the Pharisees brought to Jesus found; instead of death, they received mercy. They were forgiven and empowered to Go and sin no more.
When you encounter grace, the blessings that follow remain with you. Genuine encounters with God always lead to a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. Guilt is removed and judgment averted. The experience leaves you fulfilled, content and at peace. With God you’ll find; no worthy desire denied and every need supplied.
Taste for yourself and see how good God is. Run to Him when you sin, own it and admit it, He will not only forgive you, he will cleanse you from all guilt and remove all shame. You will have your dignity restored, and be empowered to go and sin no more, and you’ll Be Encouraged to follow Him. -JSP