Taste and See

Title: Taste and See

Text: Psalm 34.1-10

Greeting in Nepali

Name

We are happy to be here.

PRAYER

Introduction:

Our time in Nepal has been such a blessing, and we are so grateful to you all for having us here.

I wanted to take a few minutes this morning to hopefully encourage you all from the Scriptures, and I pray it strengthens you today!

Question:

Do you ever feel discouraged or fearful in your life as a Christian?

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we can all answer “yes” from time to time. This is because we live in a fallen world that is broken in every aspect because of sin, but also in Christ we stand in opposition to the world and its desires.

In times of distress, there is great comfort to be found in God’s revelation to us, specifically in the Psalms.

What are the Psalms?

Songs and prayers to God from the people of Israel in the OT. They offer expressions of praise, faith, sorrow, and frustration. As a whole, the Psalms exalt the Lord and invite others to join.

Today, I want to invite you to join me in praising our Lord for He is Good.

(TRANSLATOR Reads)

Psalm 34:1–10 ESV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

We Praise Him Together Because He is Worthy (v1-3)

The psalmist David begins by saying nothing will keep him from praising the Lord. At all times, praise for the Lord will remain on his lips. When he speaks, blessings to God will flow from him into his conversations with others around him.

The boast of the psalmist David is not in himself. He does not boast in his position, social status, accomplishments, possessions…. No…His boast is in the Lord alone.

In humility, the psalmist sets a standard for us to walk in: Live in a way that makes more of Christ’s name than our own.

The Lord’s Counsel Through Jeremiah

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

The psalmist finishes here by calling the people of God together in biblical community to magnify (or make great) the name of the Lord.

APPLICATION: This is why we gather regularly! To exalt his name together, and be strengthened as we exalt his name through gospel proclamation to those around us.

We Trust in the Lord who Provides for His People (v4-7)

David testifies to his personal experiences in fleeing from King Saul and the King of Gath in 1 Samuel. In fear of his present circumstances, David sought the Lord. The Lord answered and delivered him.

This teaches us that we too can draw close to the Lord in prayer at all times, especially in times of distress and fear (Phil 4), and our God hears us.

We can do so in confidence because of Christ, our great High Priest, after making purification for sin, sat down at the right hand of the Father…. for His perfect work was finished.

Fears and troubles will certainly come our way as we seek to be obedient to Jesus and His commands. In fact, our Lord guaranteed his disciples that world would hate them bc it first hated Him.

Like David, our Lord may deliver us from our present struggles, or He may strengthen us to endure them so our faith and dependence on Him is increase. All for His glory and our good.

Those who look to the Lord are radiant (v.5). meaning we shine or reflect God’s glory in our lives.

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

We Are Secure and Lack Nothing in Him (v8-9)

The psalmist’s exhortation here to “taste and see” calls for the audience to perceive and understand the goodness of God. His goodness is pure and undefiled, and this goodness is revealed to us in the Word of God (Hebrews 6.5).

The Lord is not good bc of things He has done, but goodness is defined by who He is (Ps 100.5). Blessed is the faithful one who takes refuge in the Lord during time of distress and fear. Let the God of all Comfort work mightily through you.

The God of Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

“Fear of the Lord” can be easily misunderstood. As followers of Christ, our fear of the Lord is a great reverence for Him and His name. To fear Him means to adorn Him, exalt him about all things, for the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven by which someone will be forgiven of sin.

SUMMARY:

Brothers and Sisters, taste and see that the Lord is good today, tomorrow, and forever. His grace and strength are sufficient for us all in Christ. May He be glorified in our lives today!

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.