Experiencing God's Goodness: A Personal Invitation
Summary
Psalm 34:8 offers a simple but profound invitation: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” This is not a command or a theological treatise, but a heartfelt call to move beyond secondhand stories and religious ritual into a living, personal encounter with God. Just as tasting honey is different from hearing about it, experiencing God’s goodness is different from merely knowing facts about Him. The difference between information and transformation is contact—making the effort to engage with God, not just observe from a distance.
God is not a distant deity, locked in history or stone, but a living presence who knows our names and desires relationship. Christianity is not about memorizing rules or reciting stories from the past; it’s about meeting the God who is good, trustworthy, and present in every moment. The invitation to “taste and see” is a call to move from theory to reality, from knowing the recipe to actually savoring the cake. It’s about refusing to live off borrowed faith or stale stories, and instead seeking our own encounters with God’s goodness.
God’s goodness is not dependent on our performance or circumstances. He is good because it is His very nature. Whether we are sick and need healing, broken and need restoration, lonely and need love, or lost and need guidance, God’s goodness meets us where we are. He delights in doing good, not because we deserve it, but because He enjoys it. His goodness is the glory that Moses longed to see, the kindness that leads us to repentance, and the stronghold we can run to in times of trouble.
To truly experience God, we must move beyond being spectators. We must engage—open our mouths, lift our hands, and participate in relationship with Him. Taking refuge in God is not weakness, but wisdom. It is in His presence that we are made whole, face to face with the One who created us for communion. The call is clear: don’t settle for someone else’s stories or a distant view of God. Step forward, engage, and discover for yourself that the Lord is good.
Key Takeaways
- Experiencing God is fundamentally different from knowing about Him. Just as tasting honey is unlike hearing about it, encountering God personally transforms us in ways that information alone never can. This requires intentional engagement, not passive observation, and moves us from theory into living reality. [01:29]
- God’s goodness is not a reward for our performance, but a reflection of His unchanging nature. He is good in every circumstance—when life is easy and when it falls apart. Trusting in His goodness means believing He is for us, even when we don’t understand the outcome, and that He delights in restoring what has been lost. [08:53]
- The invitation to “taste and see” is a call to move beyond secondhand faith and borrowed stories. We are not meant to live off the revelations of others, but to seek our own encounters with God. Our faith becomes vibrant and alive when we have our own stories of God’s faithfulness and goodness in our lives. [07:10]
- Taking refuge in God is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom and trust. In a world of chaos and uncertainty, God offers Himself as a hiding place, a stronghold in times of trouble. Running to Him is not escapism, but the path to true security and wholeness, as we find shelter in His unwavering love. [21:00]
- Engaging with God requires effort and participation. Just being present is not enough; we must open our mouths, lift our hands, and step forward in faith. God desires relationship, not mere attendance, and invites us to move from the sidelines into the fullness of His presence, where we are transformed and made whole. [23:50]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Introduction and Honey Illustration
[01:29] - The Invitation: Taste and See
[02:12] - Beyond Theory: Experiencing God
[02:56] - Spiritual Experience vs. Knowledge
[04:06] - Encounter, Not Explanation
[05:31] - Moving from Spectator to Participant
[07:10] - Our Own Stories of God’s Goodness
[08:53] - God’s Goodness Is His Nature
[09:54] - The Glory and Goodness of God
[10:49] - Healing, Provision, and God’s Delight
[12:43] - The Effort of Engagement
[15:12] - Beyond History: The Living God
[21:00] - God as Refuge and Hiding Place
[22:25] - Face to Face: Wholeness in God’s Presence
[23:50] - Call to Engage and Respond
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "Taste and See That the Lord Is Good"
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
> Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
> Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
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### Observation Questions
1. What kind of invitation does Psalm 34:8 offer, and how is it different from a command or a theological statement? [[01:29]]
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between knowing about God and experiencing God? [[02:56]]
3. What examples did the pastor give to show how God’s goodness meets us in different circumstances? [[10:49]]
4. In the sermon, what does it mean to “take refuge” in God? [[21:00]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor say that “spiritual experience must come before spiritual knowledge”? How does this challenge the way some people approach faith? [[02:56]]
2. The sermon says God’s goodness is not based on our performance but on His nature. What does this mean for someone who feels unworthy or like they have failed? [[08:53]]
3. The pastor talks about moving from being a spectator to a participant in our relationship with God. What does this look like in practical terms? [[05:31]]
4. How does the idea of “taking refuge” in God change the way we respond to trouble or uncertainty in life? [[21:00]]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor used the illustration of tasting honey versus just hearing about it. Can you think of a time when you moved from just knowing about God to actually experiencing Him? What changed for you? [[01:29]]
2. Are there areas in your life where you are living off “secondhand faith” or someone else’s stories about God, instead of your own encounters? What would it look like to seek your own experience with God’s goodness? [[07:10]]
3. The sermon says God’s goodness is not a reward for good behavior, but a reflection of who He is. How does this truth affect the way you approach God when you’re struggling or feel like you don’t measure up? [[08:53]]
4. The pastor mentioned that engaging with God takes effort—like opening your mouth, lifting your hands, or stepping forward. What is one practical step you could take this week to engage more deeply with God, either in worship, prayer, or daily life? [[12:43]]
5. When life gets hard or you feel overwhelmed, do you tend to run from your problems or run to God as your refuge? What would it look like for you to take refuge in God in a current situation? [[21:00]]
6. The sermon challenges us not to settle for someone else’s stories or a distant view of God. What is one way you can intentionally pursue a more personal relationship with God this month? [[23:50]]
7. The pastor said, “Taking refuge in God is not weakness, but wisdom.” Is there an area in your life where you need to stop trying to handle things on your own and instead trust God as your stronghold? What would it look like to do that? [[21:00]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Experience God for Yourself, Not Just in Theory
There is a world of difference between knowing about God and truly experiencing Him. Just as tasting honey is far more powerful than merely hearing about its sweetness, so too is encountering God personally more transformative than simply learning facts or stories about Him. God invites each of us to move beyond second-hand faith, beyond the rituals and rules, and to make real contact with Him—heart to heart and soul to soul. This invitation is not just for a select few, but for every generation, including you. Don’t settle for stories passed down or knowledge that fills your head; step into the reality of God’s goodness and let your soul be set on fire by His presence. [01:29]
Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to move from knowing about God to actually experiencing His presence in your life?
Day 2: God’s Goodness Is His Nature, Not Your Performance
God’s goodness is not something He does only when you deserve it; it is who He is at all times. His goodness is not based on your performance, your righteousness, or your circumstances. Even when life is hard, when things fall apart, or when you feel unworthy, God remains good because it flows from His very nature. He is committed to your wholeness, to restoring what has been lost, and to being trustworthy in every season. As you peel back the layers of misunderstanding and see God for who He truly is, you’ll discover that His goodness only grows deeper and more beautiful. [08:53]
Exodus 33:19 (ESV)
"And he said, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.'"
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that God is good, and how can you remind yourself today that His goodness is not dependent on your actions?
Day 3: Encounter, Not Just Explanation—Move Beyond Religion
It’s easy to know the recipe for a cake or the chemical composition of honey, but that knowledge is empty until you actually taste it. In the same way, you can know all the stories, rules, and rituals of religion, but until you encounter God for yourself, it’s just information. God is not a distant, historical figure or a set of rules chiseled in stone; He is a living, personal presence who wants to meet you face to face. When you turn to Him, the veil is removed, and you are invited into a relationship that transforms you from the inside out. Don’t settle for observing from a distance—step in and experience the God who is present and real today. [15:12]
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV)
"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally engage with God today, rather than just observing or going through the motions?
Day 4: God Is Your Refuge—Run to Him, Not from Him
God is not just offering you a taste of His goodness; He is offering you shelter, refuge, and rest in a world full of chaos. Taking refuge in God is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. He is your hiding place, your stronghold in times of trouble, and the One who knows you by name. When you run to Him, you find safety, peace, and the wholeness your soul longs for. No matter what you face, God’s goodness is a shelter for your darkest days, and He invites you to take refuge in Him and trust Him completely. [22:25]
Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."
Reflection: When trouble or anxiety comes, what would it look like for you to run to God as your refuge instead of trying to handle things on your own?
Day 5: Engage—Don’t Just Be in the Room, Participate
It’s possible to be present in a room but not truly engage, to be at church or in God’s presence but hold back from participating. God doesn’t want you to just show up; He wants you to engage, to open your mouth, to lift your hands, to step forward in faith. He desires conversation, relationship, and wholehearted participation. Don’t settle for being a spectator in your own spiritual life. Whatever you normally do, take one step further—pull up your chair, join the conversation, and experience more of God’s goodness by engaging with Him fully. [23:50]
Psalm 91:2 (ESV)
"I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
Reflection: What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone and engage more fully with God in worship, prayer, or community this week?
Quotes
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