Life-Giving Encouragement: Oh, Taste and See!
By Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! -Psalm 34:8
Laura, our beloved daughter-in-love, sets a “House Beautiful” worthy table. Mother of five, she never ceases to amaze me in the way she transforms old wood and throw away objects into stunning pieces. What makes her table even more inviting is that I know she sets each piece with love. Preparing a place for beloved guests fills her heart with joy.
I think this is the kind of heart Jesus had when He told His disciples He had to leave them so He could prepare a place for them. Imagine our Savior greeting each of us as we take our place at the “banquet table” in Heaven, declaring, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
While we travel on our own journey toward Heaven, we have the privilege of setting a beautiful table with our lives that invites others to “taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man or woman who takes refuge in Him!” Making this declaration the grid through which I push my response to difficult relationships helps me be more intentional in my interactions.
Perhaps the first question we need to answer is, “What is my relationship to the Lord? Do I believe He is good? Do I believe I am blessed as I take refuge in Him?” If you cannot answer those questions with a resounding yes, please take stock of where you are spiritually. Do not assume that because you went to church as a child or even now because you are a nice person and everybody tells you so, or that you teach a Sunday school class or give lots of money to charitable organizations that you know Jesus personally. If you’re not sure, I invite you now to “taste and see that He is good!” I invite you to take refuge in Him today. After the deaths of our son and his friend, I questioned the goodness of God, feeling as though I did not know who He was. In my heart, I felt God leading me to read the book of John and recognize if I wanted to know God, I needed to know Jesus. Jesus is God. As I read this beautiful record of Jesus’ life, I saw Jesus interacting with people broken by life. I saw His tenderness and kindness extended toward those forgotten by society. Watching Jesus, getting to know Him, drew me to the heart of His Father, to God. I tasted at the table set for me by Jesus, and I remembered that the Lord is good, He is my refuge when I trust in Him.
If you are struggling and need help finding your way to Jesus, please contact me at dailytreasure@markinc.org. I am eager to help you find your way to life in Him.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
If you are not sure about your relationship to Jesus or if you recognize that your love for Him is growing cold and distant, read the book of John with pen in hand. Note in the margins your response to the actions of Jesus or write in your journal how Jesus is drawing you to His heart. Ask a friend to pray with and for you, as you begin this journey to fall in love with Jesus and experience the new life only He gives.
PRAYER
Oh Jesus, thank you for preparing a place in Heaven for us. Thank you also for giving us the privilege of preparing a table through our lives that entices others to “taste and see that You are good.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a nonprofit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, and fourteen grandchildren.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 17 June 2021.
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