Devotional Thought: Psalm 34:8-10

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." Psalm 34:8-10

These verses are such a wonderful reminder of God's sufficiency. Though I may feel lonely or discontent
at times, the declaration from the mouth of God is that I lack nothing good. If even the strongest of God's creation (the young lions) cannot find fulfillment in their own strength, why do I think that I can manipulate situations to achieve my own ends? And what a statement of God's sufficiency! For though even the strongest and most majestic of the animal kingdom cannot provide for themselves, God Almighty is able to provide abundantly for His dependent and needy children.

There are but three actions I must take to enjoy this all-sufficient Goodness.
First, I must be trusting in God (v. 8). I this means that I am relying on Him alone. I cannot truthfully say that I am trusting God while I am looking anywhere else for fulfillment, protection, or safety. He alone is my Deliverer and Refuge.

Second, I must fear God (v. 9). This means that I have a fearful reverence for His character. All too often we approach God glibly with no recognition of His holy hatred for sin and His ever-watching eyes. We forget too quickly that our God is a consuming fire. We forget too quickly that our God is high and holy. To fear God means that we ever live in the realization that "thou God seest me." Verses 11-16 give a greater description of the fear of the Lord in our lives. It results in a disdain for sin a delight in life. To those who do fear God, His Word promises they will lack nothing. What a promise! What a reward!

Finally, I must seek God (v. 10). This makes sense, for if I am to "taste and see God" that presupposes that I am close enough to Him behold Him, and drawing ever close to actually reach out and taste Him. Far too often in our lives we content ourselves to go hungry just outside the doors of His banquet hall. A.W. Tozer poignantly exposed this tragedy when he wrote, "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, and Church is famishing for want of His Presence." Tragically, we are happy to occasionally glimpse of His glory or catch the odd crumb that falls from His table, when He invites us to seek and see and taste Him. 

In the banquet hall of God's goodness it is a devilish lie to believe that He has withheld any good thing from my life. I need only to partake of the Portion (Himself!) He has set before me to realize that it is the absolute best that He could give me right now. The past need not bring despair nor the future bring worry, for the same God that is my portion today will be my portion for ever.

"O taste and see that the LORD is good."
That is a challenge. Put God to the test. He will not disappoint.

Soli Deo Gloria!