“You’ll never know until you try it,” Lynne replied encouragingly. I have to admit that, over the years, I have been reluctant to try out new green food or drink. Probably trauma from a lot of green Jello and Kool-Aid in Vietnam.
On this particular occasion many years ago, we were at an office party her boss had arranged for her staff, and she had made a huge bowl of fresh guacamole. Personally, I thought it was some gross-looking stuff and wasn’t really interested in partaking, despite it being a big hit with just about everyone else. Needless to say, I have “evolved” over the years, and guacamole is now pretty high on my list of consumable foods.
We are often encouraged to pursue a certain “dining experience” as Lynne and I did on a European river cruise. I want to suggest another experience to consider. In 1990, Canadian pastor and author Dr. Henry Blackaby authored a book titled Experiencing God, which went on to become a Christian classic. I will come nowhere near Dr. Blackaby’s eloquence, but I would like to point you toward some Scriptures along those lines.
The Apostle Peter, writing to Christians scattered across the Roman empire, encouraged them to seek a spiritual dining experience. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3, ESV)
This may seem like an odd way of encouraging spiritual growth. Just as a child needs their mother’s milk, so a spiritual child needs the spiritual milk of the Word of God if they are to grow up in Christ. Those who have “tasted” discover that “the Lord is good.”
The Greek word translated “taste” is geuomai, which Young’s Concordance defines as “to take or receive.” As with anything that is offered, we will not benefit from it until we “take it” or receive it.
I wonder if Peter might have had this Psalm by King David in mind. David, a man after God’s heart, had a high opinion about the Word of God as he wrote this Psalm.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:7-10)
To King David, God’s Word was “sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.” We find a similar sentiment in Psalm 119:103, where the Psalmist declares, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Just as I had been missing out on the greatness of guacamole for many years, many are missing out on the sweetness of experiencing God through His Word. There is nothing sweeter than honey, and yet we’re told that the totality of God’s Word, His law, His testimony, His precepts, His commandments, His fear (reverence), and His rules are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.
David wasn’t talking about a nibble here and there. He was talking about feasting on the totality of God’s Word. Those of us who have feasted at the banqueting table can attest to the sweetness of His Word.
I held back on trying guacamole because it looked like one big green mess. Sometimes we are reluctant to step into what we think may be a great big mess in life, but nibbling around the edges won’t give you lasting satisfaction.
Let me offer this final word of encouragement: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
Oh, and reading Dr. Blackaby’s book would be helpful as well.
What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!
