In Psalm 34:8 it says that we should taste and see that the Lord is good. Two of our five senses are listed in the verse. We are to experience God’s goodness. Taste and see. Experiencing it for one’s self brings a new level of understanding. No matter how much you learn about God being good, you need the experience. The more you see it, the more confidence you have. You recognize and live the truth; God is good.
When I look at the suffering in my life, I do not question God’s goodness but I look for His good. We lost two friends to heaven this week. Even though their families are hurting and the losses will be felt deeply, there is good. Both people knew the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with Him. The two of them are not in pain. They have no more suffering. It is good for them. There is comfort in that fact and comfort is good. God’s grace is seen as we go through the grief that accompanies death. God is good.
When we lost our son Chris to melanoma cancer, it was the deepest pain we ever felt. But our God wrapped us up in His arms and comforted us. He continues to do so. Much good has come but it doesn’t take away the pain and loneliness of loss. It does make it more bearable. I love the Psalm that shares when we stumble, fall, or suffer, we will not be destroyed. The hand of God holds us secure. To experience this is to see God is good.
We all suffer in this life. Some deal with hard things daily or even moment by moment. God is there to hold you and keep you. There are seasons of weeping and laughter, loss and gain. I pray you will taste and see the goodness of God even in the difficult days. May you be able to say, “I have seen and tasted the goodness of God in my life. God is good.”
Monte Leavell 