Taste and See

By Hannah Bolden

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”—Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

When you first hear the phrase “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” it might sound a little odd. We can’t physically see or hear God, let alone taste Him. What does that even mean? In this passage, “Taste and see . . .” is another way of saying we can experience God’s goodness in deeper ways.

Take the shepherds who visited baby Jesus, for example. They were living seemingly ordinary lives, doing work in what was not considered the most highly sought-after job. But God chose these men to be some of the first to experience the good news of Jesus. What a blessing! When God called them on this journey, they leaned into their faith and followed Him. Imagine what God can do in your life if you lean into your faith.

Just like the shepherds, we’re invited to draw near and experience God for ourselves—not just know about Him from a distance. “Tasting and seeing” means stepping out in faith, trusting God in the everyday moments, and watching His goodness unfold in ways we might not expect. It’s in the small acts of obedience, the quiet prayers, and the moments we choose to trust rather than fear that we discover just how faithful He really is. When we take refuge in Him, we don’t just learn that He’s good, we experience it firsthand.

Put It To Practice: Study

The Word of God is alive and active! Studying God’s Word differs from meditating on it because it involves making observations, asking questions, and thinking through real-life applications. When you study God’s Word, both individually and in community, the Holy Spirit will use it to instruct, encourage, convict, and guide you! Today, read Psalm 100 and reflect on God’s goodness to His people.

For the Family

Today’s Main Idea: I can look for God’s goodness in my everyday life.

Ask Together:

1. What do you think it means to “taste and see that the Lord is good”?
2. How can you notice or experience God’s goodness in your own life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your shelter. Thank You for always having an open door to Your heart and Your goodness. I pray that this week I will take some time to be free from distractions so I may taste and experience Your goodness, both by myself and for my family. Amen.