Tasting God's Goodness: A Journey of Gratitude

Devotional

Day 1: Taste and See That the Lord is Good

To truly know God’s goodness, you must experience it for yourself—just as you savor the taste of your favorite food, so you are invited to “taste and see” the Lord’s goodness in your life. God’s presence is not a distant concept but a reality to be enjoyed, a table prepared for you to partake of His love, mercy, and blessings. When you pause to recognize the beauty around you, the provision in your life, and the peace in your heart, you are tasting the goodness of God. He invites you to trust Him, to step into His presence with gratitude, and to open your heart to the blessings He longs to pour out. The Lord is not only good in theory—He is good to you, right now, in ways both seen and unseen. [12:51]

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 specific way you can pause today to “taste and see” God’s goodness—perhaps by giving thanks, enjoying His creation, or recognizing a recent blessing in your life?

Day 2: God’s Goodness in a Confused World

In a world where good and evil are often confused and cultural values shift, God’s goodness remains a steadfast standard. Even when society calls evil good and good evil, God’s Word stands as a beacon of truth, inviting you to trust in His unchanging character. The longing to be better, to do good, is a reflection of God’s image in you, and His mercy and grace are always available, no matter how the world changes. God’s goodness is not diminished by the confusion around you; instead, it shines brighter, offering hope and clarity in the midst of moral uncertainty. [15:01]

Isaiah 5:20 (ESV)
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Reflection: Where do you see confusion between good and evil in your daily environment, and how can you intentionally reflect God’s goodness and truth in that situation today?

Day 3: The Narrow Way Leads to Life

Jesus calls you to enter by the narrow gate—a path that may be difficult and less traveled, but one that leads to true life and peace. The broad way, though popular and seemingly easier, leads to destruction and emptiness. Choosing the narrow way means embracing God’s standards, even when it’s countercultural or challenging, and trusting that His way is ultimately for your good. As you walk this path, you discover deeper joy, lasting hope, and the assurance that God’s goodness will sustain you, even through trials. [33:00]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to follow the “broad way,” and how can you choose the narrow path of obedience to Christ today?

Day 4: God’s Patience and Everlasting Mercy

God’s goodness is revealed in His incredible patience and mercy toward you. No matter how many times you come to Him with the same struggles or prayers, His mercy never runs out—He welcomes you with open arms, again and again. Just as a loving parent patiently guides their child, God’s everlasting mercy is available every day, inviting you to receive His grace and to give thanks for His unending love. Even when you feel undeserving, His goodness is poured out abundantly, far beyond what you could ask or imagine. [23:43]

Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Reflection: Is there a recurring struggle or need you’ve been hesitant to bring to God again? How can you approach Him today, trusting in His patience and everlasting mercy?

Day 5: Recognizing God’s Provision and Protection

God’s goodness is not just a concept—it is experienced in the daily provision, protection, and blessings He gives. Like the Israelites who tasted the fruit of the promised land, you are invited to recognize and celebrate the tangible ways God provides for you. Sometimes, you may not see all the ways He has protected or rescued you until you look back, but even now, His goodness surrounds you. Give thanks for the blessings you can see, and trust Him for those you cannot yet see, knowing that His goodness is always at work on your behalf. [43:25]

Numbers 13:23 (ESV)
And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.

Reflection: What is one specific way God has provided for or protected you recently, and how can you express your gratitude to Him today?

Sermon Summary

With hearts full of gratitude, we gather to worship and bask in the presence of our good and loving Father. God has prepared a table before us, inviting us to taste and see His goodness—not just as a distant idea, but as a daily reality. Every sunrise, every flower, every breath is a reminder of His abundant generosity and care. The world may be confused about what is truly good, but Scripture calls us to trust in the Lord, to taste for ourselves, and to discover that He is indeed good. Even as culture shifts and values are turned upside down, God’s goodness remains steadfast, and His desire is for us to experience it personally.

God’s goodness is not just a theological concept; it is practical and tangible. He provides for our needs, from the air we breathe to the food we enjoy, and He surrounds us with His protection and love. His generosity is seen in creation, in His daily provision, and most of all in the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Even when we are forgetful or ungrateful, God’s patience and mercy never run out. He welcomes us back time and again, never scolding, always inviting us to receive more of His grace.

Yet, we are challenged to recognize and give thanks for His goodness, even when our minds are drawn to the negative. The psalmist repeats, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,” urging us to cultivate gratitude and awareness of God’s blessings. God’s goodness also leads us to a choice: the narrow way that leads to life, or the broad way that leads to destruction. The narrow way may be difficult and less popular, but it is the path of true life, hope, and peace. The world may offer fleeting pleasures, but only God fills the deepest needs of our hearts.

As we journey on this narrow road, we find that God’s goodness sustains us through every trial. Even when life is hard, we can look back and see His hand of protection and provision. The story of the Israelites tasting the fruit of the promised land reminds us that God’s promises are not just for the future—they are meant to be experienced now. We are invited to taste, to see, and to live in the reality of God’s goodness, giving thanks and walking in faith, knowing that He is always working for our good.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s goodness is not abstract; it is experienced in the details of daily life. From the beauty of creation to the provision of our needs, every good thing is a tangible expression of His love. Recognizing these gifts requires us to pause, savor, and give thanks, cultivating a heart that is attentive to His generosity. [12:51]
2. The world’s confusion between good and evil highlights our need for a fixed standard, which is found in God’s character. While culture may shift and redefine values, God’s goodness is unchanging, and He calls us to trust Him and walk in His ways, even when it means standing apart from the crowd. [15:01]
3. God’s patience is a profound aspect of His goodness. He welcomes us back again and again, never running out of mercy or grace, even when we repeat the same mistakes. This enduring patience invites us to approach Him with honesty and confidence, knowing we are always received with love. [23:43]
4. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline that transforms our perspective. Though our minds are wired to focus on the negative, intentionally giving thanks for God’s goodness shifts our hearts toward joy and hope. The psalmist’s repeated call to thankfulness is a reminder to recognize God’s blessings, even in the midst of life’s challenges. [25:41]
5. The narrow way of following Christ is not always easy, but it leads to true life and peace. The world may offer broader, seemingly easier paths, but only the way of Christ satisfies the deepest longings of the soul. Choosing this path means embracing God’s goodness, even when it requires sacrifice, and trusting that His promises are worth more than any fleeting pleasure. [34:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - Entering God’s Presence
[02:15] - Worship and Thanksgiving
[04:30] - Tasting the Goodness of God
[09:58] - Restoring and Healing in His Presence
[12:51] - Trusting God and Experiencing Blessing
[15:01] - The World’s Confusion About Goodness
[17:51] - God’s Generosity and Provision
[20:58] - Recognizing God’s Gifts in Daily Life
[23:43] - God’s Patience and Everlasting Mercy
[25:41] - Practicing Gratitude Amid Negativity
[29:18] - God’s Protection and Unseen Goodness
[30:42] - The Narrow and Broad Ways
[34:11] - Choosing the Path of Life
[39:52] - The Hope and Fruitfulness of the Narrow Road
[42:06] - God’s Goodness and the Invitation to Taste
[43:25] - The Promised Land: Tasting God’s Promises

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Psalm 34:8, what two actions are we invited to do regarding God’s goodness?
According to Exodus 34:6, what are some of the qualities that describe God’s character?
In Matthew 7:13-14, what are the two different paths Jesus describes, and what are their outcomes?
The sermon mentioned that God’s goodness is seen in daily life, like in creation and provision. What are some specific examples the pastor gave? [[12:51]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the psalmist uses the words “taste and see” instead of just “know” or “believe” when talking about God’s goodness? What does this say about how we are meant to experience God? [[12:51]]
The sermon talked about the world being confused about what is good and what is evil. How does God’s unchanging character help us know what is truly good? [[15:01]]
The pastor said that God’s patience is a big part of His goodness, welcoming us back again and again. How does this understanding affect the way we approach God after we’ve made mistakes? [[23:43]]
Jesus describes the narrow way as difficult but leading to life. Why do you think following God’s way is described as “narrow” and “hard,” and what does that mean for us today? [[34:11]]

Application Questions

The pastor said that every sunrise, flower, and breath is a reminder of God’s generosity. What is one ordinary thing in your daily life that you often overlook but could start seeing as a gift from God? How can you remind yourself to notice it this week? [[12:51]]
Our culture often confuses good and evil, and values keep shifting. Is there an area in your life where you feel pressure to go along with the crowd, even though you know God’s way is different? How can you stand firm in God’s goodness in that situation? [[15:01]]
The sermon mentioned that God’s patience never runs out, even when we repeat the same mistakes. Is there something you keep bringing to God over and over? How does knowing He is patient and merciful change the way you pray or confess? [[23:43]]
The psalmist repeats, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness.” What is one practical way you can cultivate gratitude this week, especially when you’re tempted to focus on the negative? [[25:41]]
The narrow way is not always easy, but it leads to true life and peace. Is there a “narrow path” choice you are facing right now—something that is hard but you know is right? What would it look like to trust God’s goodness and take that step? [[34:11]]
The Israelites tasted the fruit of the promised land before fully entering it. Is there a promise of God you have “tasted” but not fully experienced yet? How can you keep trusting and moving forward in faith? [[43:25]]
The pastor said that gratitude is a spiritual discipline that transforms our perspective. What is one thing you can do daily to help shift your focus from what’s wrong to what God is doing right? [[25:41]]

Sermon Clips

But, you know, how many times have we paused and considered really the beauty of what we have around us? The soaring mountains and the beautiful streams and rivers and the forest and all the planets and the plants and just the beauty of this world, you know, we need to consider really of, you know, because God could have really made an earth that was, you know, one color and, you know, didn't have much variety. But, no, He created a world that was beautiful and that we have to enjoy each and every day, every sunrise, amen, every flower, every bird, every creature reminds us that God is all -powerful and abundant, amen, and He has everything that we have need of in life. [00:13:43]

Can I tell you that the same thing, we need to taste of the Lord, amen, and see. And a lot of times, I think that's what happens, is when we finally do taste of the Lord, of His goodness, we begin to see, amen, amen, that we begin to see that He loves us, and He cares about us, and He wants us to be blessed, and because He is a good, good Father. Amen. [00:15:16]

See, our world today struggles to distinguish, really, between good and evil. There's really this paradox going on, and our cultural values are changing, it seems, you know, day by day, and, you know, really, the people that go to church oftentimes are scorned, and behaviors condemned, you know, and things that used to be condemned are now cherished, or, you know, they're put on the TV screen like, you know, this is okay, but can I tell you it's not okay, right? [00:15:44]

No, even amid theshifting, you know, morals and manners of cultures today, can I tell you that most people want to do better or be better?There's actually a Marist poll that is done, a polling, you know, it's done, and over the last few years, one of the top contenders of what people want to do is they want to be a better person, more than even losing weight.So they understand that there is good, right? Good, and everybody wants to be good or better than they are now, but can I tell you this morning that the Lord God, He is merciful and gracious and long -suffering, and He is abounding in goodness. [00:16:53]

And when I say that God is good, I mean He is gracious. Amen. He is merciful. He loves you, and He loves me this morning. And as I study His Word in the Bible, one central theme continues to pop out of what it really means about God's goodness, and it is this, that God is generous.He loves to give, amen?He loves to give unto us, and certainly, and that includes His attitude towards you and me. [00:18:03]

And the psalmist said this, I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.We serve a good, good God, amen. And I'm here today to tell you that no matter what the circumstances look like in life, behind all the mist, really, of the unknown is this truth that we have a God who is good, amen. [00:19:47]

He supplies food and water, and He made us in His image, amen. And He also gave us a companion, right, and we're thankful that He continues, amen, to watch over us, and He gave us heaven through Jesus Christ. Amen?Whatever our need this morning, the goodness of God will provide the answer. [00:20:41]

Sometimes we need to savor. Sometimes we need to desirably say this, this is from God. We need to recognize things in our life and say, this is from God. God bless me. God did a miracle in my life. God loves me and He's watching over me and we need to recognize it and taste from it, amen, and taste the miracle, taste the blessing that God and smell the aroma, amen, of His glory and of His presence. [00:21:32]

We just need to stop sometimes and do like the phrase says and smell the flowers, amen, and recognize that we serve a good, good God, because the world tries to paint this picture right about doom and gloom, but no, oh, glory be to God, we need to get our heads up into heaven, amen, and see the glory of God that He is a good, good God, amen. [00:22:36]

Thank you, Father, and this is what we know this morning, that worship and praise to God, it lifts and refreshes our soul, hallelujah, whether it's singing or, you know, or reading the Word or worshiping in His presence, we open our hearts, amen, to His nearness and His presence, and we receive, hallelujah, strength for our soul. [00:23:03]

God's goodness and generosity is His incredible patience with us. In fact, the Bible's idea of God's patience frequently is linked to the concept of goodness. Look at Psalms 100 verses 4 and 5. It says, be thankful to Him and bless His name. He the Lord is what? Good and His mercy is everlasting. Oh, hallelujah. His mercy. You see, God never runs out of mercy. God never runs out of grace. The door is always open. We just have to receive from Him. Amen. [00:23:43]

But God never scolds us. Amen. When we come to Him like that, He never scolds us. His mercy is everlasting. Aren't you thankful? Amen? [00:25:30]

But the bottom line is that god's people does you know we don't deserve his goodness but he loves us so much then his mercy is everlasting and he pours out upon us amen even much more abundantly above and beyond but we can ask or think this morning oh that men would give thanks to the lord for his goodness and his wonderful works to the children of men amen [00:27:08]

Oh, that people would recognize, amen, would begin to thank God for his goodness in their life and recognize and taste and see, hallelujah, that we serve a good, good God. Oh, hallelujah, hallelujah, that men would see and give thanks to the Lord, amen, hallelujah, because God's goodness is towards us in ways that we can't even see, right? The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he will deliver them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. [00:28:35]

Taste and see, amen, you've got to jump in there and taste, amen, before you're going to see, right?See, you need to know, hallelujah, that God's goodness protects his people, amen? And only when we get to heaven will we be able to look back over our shoulders if we're allowed to do this and see all the places where God's goodness rescued us, protected us, amen, and provided for us, amen? [00:29:59]

The Bible teaches us in Psalms 143 and verse 10, it says, teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your spirit is good, so lead me in the land of uprightness. Oh, glory be to God. Aren't you thankful today, for we serve that kind of God. [00:31:01]

Only the narrow gate, the difficult road, the small crowd leads to eternal life, and that's the road that God chooses for you and for me as a Christian.If you're a Christian today, God put you on that road by His goodness and His grace, right? He says to us, I choose for you today this pathway.I choose the narrow gate for you. I choose the difficult way. I choose the few companions because I understand what's at the end of that road is life. [00:33:16]

That's what it's like with life here on earth and the narrow way and the small gate is the reason that God loves us so much and He places us on the narrow gate is so that we're able to enjoy the goodness of God and all that God created us for. But a lot of us rebel and want to go the broad way, right? We want to go our own way instead of the way of God and His path. He will lead us in all our paths, right? [00:34:11]

I like what moses said in hebrews 11 25 and 26 he says this is moses he chose rather to suffer the affliction with the people of god than to enjoy the pleasures the passing pleasures of sin esteeming the approach of christ richer greater than the treasures in egypt for he looked to the reward that was moses and that should be our thought today too that we would rather suffer the afflictions amen as a christian then enjoy the the passing the fleeting pleasures of sin right and just go ahead and take the reproach that knowing christ has in our life realizing that there are greater richer riches riches amen and we look forward to the reward [00:36:20]

You see, when we embark on this narrow road, it can be difficult at times. How many of you have ever experienced difficulty living the Christian life? Right?It can be difficult, but behind all the lies and, you know, of all the things, we know this, that God is a good, good God, that He supplies all of our needs according to His riches and glory. Amen. [00:40:20]

And as we mature, as we get closer really to the end of our lives, we see that relationship deepen with Christ. With those that are going the broad way, they see life as cynical and they lose the vigor of life, but as we get closer to the grave as a Christian, we're like, oh, hallelujah, glory be to God. I'm excited to be alive and I'm excited that Jesus... I'm not saying I'm old.I'm excited that Jesus is coming back again. Amen. Hallelujah. They still bear fruit in their old age. Amen. And they stay fresh and green and they proclaim, hallelujah, that they serve a good, good God. Amen. [00:40:47]

But we know this, that God's Son died for us. Amen? And when we give Him our heart, hallelujah, even though we face challenges in life, we have the joy of knowing, hallelujah, that He's working on our behalf. Amen? That He holds us in the palm of His hand. I'm thankful today. Hallelujah! [00:42:34]

But what happens when His goodness isn't just a concept?It's right in front of us, right? When do you, you know, when do you, the promises that we've heard about, when they start, right, to take shape in front of us, in our hands, what exactly happens? We find that in Numbers chapter 13. The Israelites arrived, you know, at the Valley of Eschol, and they cut down a massive, it was the 12 spies that went into the promised land, right? And they cut down this massive cluster of grapes. The fruit, it says, was so large that two men had to carry it back. And they also gathered pomegranates and figs. And it was a glimpse, really, of the abundance of the promised land, right? [00:43:20]

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