Oh Taste and See...

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

For years I have heard spiritual hunger preached as if hunger was the proof you were serious about God. Almost like something was wrong if you weren’t hungering deeply for the things of God. 

As believers must see that not all spiritual hunger is the same. And the way we approach this hunger is based on our present condition, where we are spiritually. 

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Preachers would preach, labouring, striving in order to be hungry for God. They would emphasise crying out to God, begging, fasting and weeping to get this required deep hunger from God. As if it was nearly unobtainable…

The interesting thing about hungry individuals is that you can find two kinds. One who is starving, one who is desperate to eat. He will immediately gorge himself, unhealthily, when he comes across food. This person has no manners and usually doesn't know when his next meal is. This results in panic and he stuffs his face, often causing physical issues. 

The other individual we find is naturally hungry because he times and schedules his meals. He knows beforehand when he is eating again, he has a plan. He comes prepared to the dinner table, dressed appropriatly and when he sits he is ready to enjoy the cooked and presented meal. 

Many of us are one or the other. We will starve ourselves of God, His Word and His Spirit and then approach Him with a starvation mindset. We wait long enough to be desperate. We come and gorge ourselves selfishly at God's table trying to get what we demand in our time of need. This attitude of approaching God often ends frustration. We indulge with a childish tantrum and then seperate again, feeling unworthy to remain. 

However, if we become Christians who are consistent, sitting at the feet of Jesus in order to learn, to fellowship and to soon return we become people of heavenly taste. We develop a spiritual hunger and TASTE for the fullness of the meal. We enjoy our time savouring and digesting and we soon long to return quickly to the table. The memory of food never replaces the desire to eat!

This is where our lives become full of relationship and of flow. The food God provides will never run short but will continue to produce the strength we need to flourish, grow and expand in His kingdom. Our lives become useful and meaningful so that many others can be blessed. We have heavenly care packages to give out to those in real need. 

Never treat God like a food aid truck you hunt down when you are starving. 

Approach God's table like fine dining and with someone to enjoy time and have an amazing conversation with. He is paying after all! 

Always remember that He invites you daily to His banqueting table. His table is full of provision and it is filled with pleasantries. His table is a gorgeous spread of healing, provision, love, faith and joy. 

Everything on the table will bless you. You can have as much as you want, as much as you can eat and drink. You can truly enjoy His presence as you approach His table with boldness and confidence!! 

Daily eat. Daily drink. Take the time to be refreshed and sustained. You will enjoy it and be hungry for more!!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!"