First Hand Faith: Experiencing the Goodness of God

Scripture:

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

Reflection: 

We live in a world saturated with secondhand recommendations. We scroll through restaurant reviews, view online food menus, and listen to friends rave about a restaurant, but none of those opinions matter until we sit down and take a bite for ourselves. Our spiritual life can easily fall into the same pattern. We can read theology books, admire the deep faith of a spouse or parent, and sing familiar hymns without ever truly moving beyond mere observation into a personal experience of God.

In Psalm 34, David offers a bold, intimate invitation: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” He doesn't ask us to analyze, debate, or simply observe God from a distance. He invites us to step into a personal, living relationship with Him.

What makes David’s invitation so profound is where it was born. He wasn't writing from a place of comfort, nor after a grand victory. He wrote this psalm after a humbling, desperate moment—fleeing for his life, feeling trapped by fear, and behaving foolishly in enemy territory to escape harm. Yet, looking back, David recognized that God had faithfully delivered him despite his weakness.

God’s goodness is not the absence of trouble, but His faithful, unwavering presence through it. Real faith isn't about inheriting someone else’s beliefs or maintaining a flawless exterior; it is about bringing our real, messy lives to the Lord, trusting Him in dark seasons, and discovering that He holds us fast. When we actively seek Him, turn from evil, and rest in His grace, our intellectual knowledge transforms into a lived reality. Through Christ, who endured the ultimate trouble for us, we are invited to pull up a seat at His table, experience His deliverance, and taste His goodness firsthand.

Call to Action / Application:

Take five minutes today to reflect on a specific time when God delivered you through a difficult season or answered a quiet prayer. Share that story with a friend, family member, or fellow believer to encourage them, reminding yourself and others that God’s goodness is meant to be proclaimed, not kept to ourselves.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I settle for a secondhand faith, observing Your goodness from a distance instead of trusting You personally. Thank You that You do not abandon me in times of fear or trouble, but meet me with Your presence and grace. Help me to actively seek You, turn away from fear, and rest in Your deliverance. Teach my heart to taste and see Your faithfulness each day, and give me the courage to share Your goodness with those around me. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

[This devotional offers additional reflections to the sermon "Taste and See" preached by Pastor Paul Becker at First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. Click here to watch the full sermon video.]