The Fruit of God's Goodness

 

The Fruit of God's Goodness

Psalm 34:8, O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

When the sweet Psalmist of Israel says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” David is not speaking of putting God through our examination merely or 'testing God. ' But he is talking about “relishing God's goodness.” To perceive how good He really is by experiencing that goodness firsthand. This incredible invitation to engage with God in a personal and experiential manner, is like trying a new dish or experiencing a new location – you don't know how good it is until you try it. 

The reverse of experiencing God’s goodness is to be anxious or prone to worry.  Worrying is to give way to anxiety, distress, disturbance, or unease, allowing one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. It is a state of uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Vance Havner said, “Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” Another person said, “Worry is the advance interest you pay on troubles that seldom come.” Clearly, we must prioritize experiencing God through deliberately trusting Him.

Experiencing God Personally:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good" encourages believers to personally experience God's goodness to actively seek and experience God's presence and blessings through faith and trust, rather than simply accepting claims about His goodness. 

We may reason, argue, resort to logic and marshal Christian evidences, but when all is said and done, a man must taste and see for himself.^[1]

The thought emphasizes God's goodness, His inherent kindness, mercy, and graciousness, as something to be discovered and enjoyed, not merely believing someone else’s testimony. We will know happiness and blessings when we do. 

Psalm 34:8, O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him

The verse also suggests that God's goodness is not just a nonconcrete notion, but something that can be experienced through faith and trust. It's about actively seeking God's presence and guidance in your life and recognizing His blessings. It's more than intellectual understanding, but an active, personal encounter with God's grace and mercy. Again, emphasizing the exquisiteness of His nature and the abundance of His provision. 

Trusting God is also Highlighted:

Additionally, God says, "blessed is the man that trusteth in him," highlighting the connection between experiencing God's goodness and trusting Him. When you trust God, you open yourself up to experiencing His goodness in very tangible ways. 

Note the phrase, "blessed is the man that trusteth in him". This pinpoints how connection with God implies trust, reliance, and finding protection in His care. As a blessed outcome we are happier and sense divine advantages and compensations. 

In military imagery David envisioned divine protection (cf. Gen. 32:2; 2 Kings 6:16).^[2]

It is the call to the life of faith. The saints are invited to walk by faith and not by sight, and to experience God’s marvelous, miraculous, and abundant provision. ^[3]

David's Testimony is Our Invitation:

David had experienced both serious adversity and God's fantastic rescues. He knew personally how good God can be to those who trust Him. He invites you and me to experience God's goodness in the same ways he had. We must actively engage our faith seeking God's inherent goodness and global generosity to find His protection, holy deliverance, promising blessings, and God-given happiness as a result. Instead of worrying, God prescribes,

Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

This concern with God…knowing and experiencing God should mark us as genuine disciples of our Lord Jesus. Blessings belong to God’s people who trust Him instead of worrying.

Therefore an individual need not be anxious about his existence (Matt. 6:31), for by worrying he can never add any amount of time, not even a single hour, to his life. Rather than being like the pagans who are concerned about physical needs, the Lord’s disciples should be concerned about the things of God, His kingdom and His righteousness. Then all these needs will be supplied in God’s timing. This is the life of daily faith. It does no good to worry^[4]

Conclusion:

The Bible conveys how God is inherently good in and of Himself, His goodness is accessible to those who trust Him, and His goodness extends to all facets His creation. 

We too can experience God's goodness by recognizing His blessings, both big and small, in daily life. This can include tangible things like provision, protection, and love, as well as intangible things like peace, joy, and hope. 

Believing in the goodness of the Lord often leads to expressions of gratitude, praise, and a desire to reflect His goodness in our own lives. This may involve our acts of kindness, compassion, and service to our fellowman also. Certainly, we will be more convinced than ever of the goodness of God.

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 598.

^[2] Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 819.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 598.

^[4] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 33.