Taste and See: Experiencing the Goodness of God

The goodness of God is not just a concept to be understood, but an experience to be tasted. Just as flavors like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami must be personally sampled to be truly known, so too must the goodness of the Lord be encountered firsthand. Psalm 34 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” calling us beyond mere intellectual assent into a living, experiential relationship with God. This invitation is especially poignant in times of desperation, as seen in David’s life when he fled from Saul and sought refuge in unlikely places, even resorting to deception out of fear and survival instinct.

David’s journey, particularly his time in Gath and the cave of Adullam, reveals the futility of seeking blessing through deception or self-reliance. The consequences of his actions—such as the tragedy at Nob—underscore that God’s blessings cannot be obtained through unrighteous means. Instead, David comes to realize that true security and rescue are found in seeking God first, not as a last resort. The fear of the Lord, which is not terror but deep reverence and honor, becomes the foundation for a life that attracts God’s attentive presence and deliverance.

This reverence is not passive; it is expressed in the pursuit of righteousness, justice, and mercy. The blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants were always conditional upon walking in God’s ways. Similarly, the assurance of God’s rescue and favor is tied to living in the fear of the Lord—honoring Him in all things, turning from evil, and seeking peace. God’s presence is not distant or occasional; He “encamps” around those who fear Him, as both a shield and a constant companion. This is the reality of the tabernacle—God dwelling with His people, now made even more intimate through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Yet, even those who walk in righteousness are not exempt from trouble. The promise is not a trouble-free life, but that God will deliver and be near, especially to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. The ultimate rescue is not merely temporal relief, but the hope of resurrection and eternal life, secured by Jesus—the only one whose bones were not broken, signifying perfect righteousness and the fulfillment of God’s promise. In Him, we are invited to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, both now and forever.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Blessing Cannot Be Gained by Deception God’s blessings are not available through unrighteous means, even when desperation tempts us to compromise. David’s use of deception led to tragic consequences, teaching us that shortcuts and dishonesty ultimately undermine the very security we seek. True blessing comes from integrity and trust in God, not manipulation or self-preservation. [33:23]
• 2. The Fear of the Lord Motivates Righteous Living Reverence for God is not about being afraid, but about giving Him the highest honor and weight in our lives. This deep respect compels us to pursue righteousness, justice, and mercy—not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and awe for who God is. The fear of the Lord is the foundation for a life that attracts God’s attentive presence and favor. [40:20]
• 3. God’s Presence Is Constant, Not Occasional God does not merely show up in moments of crisis; He “encamps” around those who fear Him, dwelling with us continually. This is the reality of the tabernacle—God’s permanent, attentive presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Even when we grieve Him, He does not leave, but His blessings may be withheld until we return to Him in reverence and obedience. [55:46]
• 4. The Ultimate Rescue Is Eternal, Not Temporal While God often delivers us from present troubles, the greatest promise is the hope of resurrection and eternal life with Jesus. The unbroken bones of Christ on the cross signify the fulfillment of God’s promise and the assurance of our ultimate rescue. Even in suffering, we can trust that God’s goodness will be fully realized in eternity. [67:21]
• 5. God Is Near to the Brokenhearted God’s special nearness is promised to those who are crushed in spirit and brokenhearted. In seasons of pain, loss, or spiritual dryness, His presence is not diminished; rather, He draws even closer, offering comfort and hope. This is not a distant or abstract comfort, but a tangible reality for those who seek Him with humility and trust. [61:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - Experiencing God’s Goodness
• [02:45] - The Story Behind Psalm 34
• [05:30] - David’s Desperation and Deception
• [08:10] - The Consequences of Deception
• [11:00] - Seeking God First in Trouble
• [13:30] - The Fear of the Lord Explained
• [16:00] - Honor, Reverence, and Blessing
• [19:00] - Righteousness, Justice, and Mercy
• [22:00] - Conditional Promises and Obedience
• [25:00] - God’s Presence: The Angel of the Lord
• [28:00] - Tabernacle: God Dwelling With Us
• [31:00] - The Holy Spirit’s Permanent Presence
• [34:00] - God’s Nearness to the Brokenhearted
• [37:00] - The Ultimate Rescue: Resurrection and Eternal Life
• [40:00] - Invitation to Taste and See

Bible Reading

Psalm 34:1-22 (ESV) — > 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
> 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
> 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
> 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
> 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
> 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
> 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
> 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
> 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
> 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
> 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
> 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
> 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
> 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
> 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
> 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
> 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
> 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
> 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
> 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
> 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
> 22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

1 Samuel 21:10-15 (ESV) — > 10 And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath.
> 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”
> 12 And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
> 13 So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard.
> 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me?
> 15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

John 19:33-36 (ESV) — > 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
> 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
> 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.
> 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 34, what does David say happens to those who "fear the Lord"? (see verses 7, 9, 15)
2. According to 1 Samuel 21, what did David do when he was afraid in Gath, and what was the result? [33:23]
3. In Psalm 34:18, who does the Lord promise to be near to?
4. What detail in John 19:36 connects Jesus’ crucifixion to Psalm 34? [01:07:21]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think David used deception in both Nob and Gath, and what were the consequences of his actions? [33:23]
2. The sermon says the "fear of the Lord" is not about being scared, but about deep respect and honor. How does this kind of fear motivate someone to live differently? [40:20]
3. The sermon mentions that God’s presence is not just for emergencies but is constant, like the tabernacle or the Holy Spirit living in us. What difference does it make to believe God is always with you, not just when you call on Him? [55:46]
4. The unbroken bones of Jesus are highlighted as a sign of perfect righteousness and the fulfillment of God’s promise. Why is this detail important for our hope in eternal life? [01:07:21]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “You cannot have the blessing by deception.” Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to take shortcuts or use dishonesty to get what you want? What would it look like to trust God instead, even if it’s harder? [33:23]
2. When you face trouble or desperation, what is usually your first response—practical action or seeking God? How could you make seeking God your first instinct rather than your last resort? [36:52]
3. The “fear of the Lord” is described as giving God the highest honor and weight in your life. What is one area where you struggle to give God priority? What practical step could you take this week to honor Him more in that area? [40:20]
4. The sermon says God “encamps” around those who fear Him, meaning His presence is constant. Do you live with an awareness of God’s nearness in your daily life? How might your attitude or actions change if you remembered God is always with you? [55:46]
5. Psalm 34:18 says God is near to the brokenhearted. If you are in a season of pain or discouragement, how can you open yourself to experience God’s comfort? If you’re not, how can you be a tangible expression of God’s nearness to someone who is hurting? [01:01:09]
6. The ultimate rescue God promises is eternal life, not just relief from present troubles. How does this perspective shape the way you handle suffering or disappointment? [01:07:21]
7. The sermon challenges us to pursue righteousness, justice, and mercy—not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and awe for God. What is one specific way you can pursue righteousness or show mercy this week, motivated by reverence for God? [43:38]