Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  Psalm 34: 8

At a family gathering, my cousin's wife brought a dish that looked, hmmm....how should I put it?  "Interesting."  The main ingredient was grapes, but she had put a creamy looking mixture on top of the grapes and then sprinkled on top of that a combination of nuts and brown sugar.   Grapes, brown sugar, nuts, and this white creamy stuff all in the same bowl.  Those first three items are all delicious by themselves, but do they taste good together?  And what exactly is that white stuff?   My eyes were telling me that it looked good, however my taste buds were questioning the validity of what my eyes were seeing.  Shortly, I heard others who were in line before me saying that the "mystery food" was really good.  So when it was my turn to go through the buffet line, I also tried it, and my taste buds were delighted that I took the chance!  

I know someone who is a very picky eater.  The only chocolate he'll eat is chocolate cake and will pass on the chocolate bars and brownies.  He only eats two vegetables: corn and green beans.   Trying something new isn't a possibility because it might not taste good, so why take the chance?!?!  

In Exodus 16 we read about the grumbling Israelites who were hungry.  They were able to eat to their heart's content when living in Egypt, however now they were roaming around in a desert, and they had run out of food supplies.  The opportunities of stopping at the local trading post, the neighborhood Hy-Vee, or planting their own vegetable garden to supply for their needs weren't available to them.  Hunger pains escalated to crankiness.  Groans of complaint reached Moses' ears about the living conditions:  the lack of drinkable water and nutritious food, aching feet, bugs, the snoring of the campers next door, clothes that smelled of sweat, and anything else they could think of.  In their bitterness they forgot an important point, they forgot that they were instruments of worship.

What are some of our complaints that get in the way of worshiping God and recognizing His goodness?  The driver who drove too slow on the highway?  The coffee that tastes like it was made a week ago?  The shopping lines which are too long?  The worship times which do not fit into our busy schedules?  Or is it the price of food, housing, utilities, insurance, or clothing?  

Taste and see.  David reminds us in Psalm 34 to pause for a moment and reflect on God's goodness.  To taste and see the bounty He provides for us.  Food, shelter, friendships, and the opportunity to worship Him daily are just a few of the items on the list.  When we see worship as a daily activity, something that encompasses our every movement and thought, we then validate what we profess.  Our expression of thanks and praise to God for all of the opportunities He's afforded us allows others to taste and see God's goodness.

Taste and see His goodness, for the mercies of the Lord are fantastic and worth trying.

Enjoying the ride,