Taste and see the goodness of God

Ps 145:7- They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV).

The goodness of God describes the overflowing blessing of God to his creation and creatures. God is morally excellent, extra-ordinarily beautiful, deeply glad and extravagantly bountiful. God is the original definition of good.

God’s goodness is consistent and constant. God’s goodness can be seen both in His character and action (Ps 119:68- You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. (NIV)). God will not do anything contrary to His nature. He is good and will always be good.

Human beings can be good, but God is the ultimate. God’s goodness is voluntary. God is good in nature but is free to convey goodness voluntarily. He is not compelled. God’s goodness is communicative. He wants His goodness to be known and enjoyed.

James 1:17- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)

We see the goodness of God in creation.  God created the heavens and the earth. He created everything. He created man.  God saw that everything he had created was very good.

We see the goodness of God in providence. God provides for, sustain and care for all he has made.

We see the goodness of God in redemption. God redeemed us by giving His son. All we need is repent and believe.

Taste and see the goodness of God.

Taste is from the Hebrew word Ta’am. Literally, it means to try by the tongue to perceive a flavour. But figuratively, it is to experience or perceive.

1 Peter 2: 2-3 -Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (NIV)

Heb 6: 4-5 -It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age (NIV)

Taste and see the goodness of God is an invitation to take God at His word. You cannot enjoy any food until you eat it.  The invitation is for us to receive and to extend.

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

If you receive the invitation, you will approach Him.

Heb 4: 16-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

When you approach Him, you will know Him.

Phil 3: 10-That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV)

When you know Him, you will experience Him. You will experience His goodness.

When you encounter and experience God, your life will change radically in all aspects of your life- your belief, your behaviour, your speech, your conduct, your relationship with God and man.

When you experience Him, you will trust Him and extend the invitation to others.

How Can we Taste God’s Goodness

We can taste God’s goodness by going from faith to faith:

• Hearing the word
• Believing the word
• Speaking the word
• Acting on the word

Challenge

God is inviting you today to come and taste Him. Are you willing to approach Him? Are you willing to know Him? Are you willing to experience Him? Are you ready to experience His goodness? Are you willing to extend the invitation to others?

Conclusion

Our God is good. He is the original definition of goodness. He is inviting us to come and taste Him. The invitation is for us to receive and to extend. If you receive the invitation, you will approach Him. If you approach Him, you will know Him. If you know Him, you will experience his goodness. When you experience His goodness, you will trust Him and extend the invitation to others.

Prayers

Father, make me to taste and see your goodness.