Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)
Tasting is a sensory experience that allows us to comprehend and appreciate the different delicacies the physical world has to offer. Yet David suggests that tasting, like all our other senses, is an opportunity to better understand the One responsible for those delicacies. In other words, eating and enjoying the fruit of different trees should provoke us to be thankful to the One who created the fruit trees. The same could be said for trees that provide shade or the resource to build other useful things in this world.
The point is that our senses, though closely connected to the flesh, don’t have to be obsessed with the unlawful deeds of the flesh. Instead our senses can and should be useful in reminding us to be grateful to our Father in Heaven who created all these wonderful things that we see, hear, feel, smell and taste. In the beginning, the Creator is the One who planted a garden and then placed the man in it saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat” (Genesis 2:16). Obviously, God desired that man enjoy the physical benefits of His creative power but always with the intention that mankind would appreciate and honor our Great Benefactor.
That seems to be David’s point: once a person tastes of what God has provided, it should lead us to conclude that the Lord is good. I would suggest that is why we are instructed to thank the Lord when our bellies are full. As it is written, “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10). God demonstrates His kindness to us in that He generously provides for our daily needs, and much more. But not only is He our fount of provision but He is also our source of protection. And so, those who taste His goodness as expressed through His provision can certainly appreciate the wisdom of trusting in Him for all things.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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