Taste And See

 TASTE & SEE

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

I seem to stay hungry all the time. I consider any time to be a good time to eat. The problem is, of course, that this impacts my weight and health. Also, it interferes with the main meals I eat. If I snack too much between meals, I lose my appetite for the main meals.

As Americans, we tend to overeat. As a nation, we tend to have unhealthy eating habits. This contributes to the multiple health issues that plague our citizens.

On the reverse side, there seems to be a lack of spiritual hunger among God's people. In Amos 8:11, the Bible promises, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Notice the Bible doesn't say that there would be a famine of the preaching of the Word. No, there would be a famine for the hearing of the Word. There will be a day when people will have no desire to hear what God has to say. That is a great description of our day.

People do not have a desire to hear the Word. They lack the spiritual hunger that compels them to seek the Lord and His Word. Where are the hungry souls today? More to the point, do you have a hunger for God?

The Bible says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Taste and see implies more than just a mental knowledge of God. This is more than accumulating Bible facts or reading a book about theology. What the psalmist is referring to is an experiential event, a real encounter with the living God.

Although we need a divine encounter with the Lord, we must be careful not to “manufacture” some event. This leads to counterfeit experiences that may stoke the emotions but never do a deep work within the heart. Such an event would leave a person hollow and disappointed.

So how can a person cultivate a spiritual hunger? How can we taste and see that the Lord is good? How can we really have a personal encounter with God?

First of all, there must be faith. Genuine faith is a requirement for a true experience with the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way, “...he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” We should not be seeking an emotional thrill. We should seek God Himself.

Secondly, there must be fervency. In Jeremiah 29:13, God said, “... ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Heartless worship and lethargic effort are a reflection of a cold heart. A hungry soul will be passionate about finding food. A hungry man does not have to be told to eat. He just needs to be given the food. A hungry person will devour food that is placed before him.

Finally, there must be focus. We need to open our Bibles and learn about God. God's Word reveals much about Him. We need to learn more of Him. This knowledge is not just obtaining information. We aren't being tested for Bible knowledge. Instead, we learn more about Him so we may know how to please Him. We learn about Him so we can love Him more deeply. From the Bible, we learn what is important to Him. We need to seek the heart of the Father. As we focus on Him, our desires soon begin to match His. Our will slowly erodes so His will may be fully known and desired by us. From His Word, we learn about His attributes. As we meditate on God's Word, we slowly feast on food for our souls. When we pray, we commune with our Lord. Through the events of life, our faith deepens.

Let me point out something. It is one thing to desire something from the hand of God, but it is quite another thing to yearn for the heart of God. Much of our prayers are consumed with asking for the hand of God to move in some area of our lives. While there is nothing wrong with praying about needs and concerns, where are the people who yearn solely for God Himself? Where are the people with a hunger for the Lord? Why can't you be such a person?

Don't be content with only the aroma of food when there is a place set for you at the table. The food is hot and fresh. Come and feast on the Living Bread.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Come And Dine

COME AND DINE

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.” - John 21:12

It is difficult for a serious fisherman to admit that he has failed to catch fish, especially after fishing all night. That was the case for the disciples in John chapter 21. Many of them were professional fishermen. Yet they fished all night without catching a single fish.

When the disciples went out fishing that evening, Jesus was not with them for the excursion. The Bible says that they caught nothing that night. Yet they continued to fish. Jesus stood on the shore but wasn't recognized by His disciples. He asked them if they had caught anything. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of them grumbled at the question. There's nothing worse for a fisherman than to be asked what he's caught … when he's caught nothing!

When the disciples told Jesus that they caught nothing, He told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did, they had a huge catch of fish. At this point, John realized that Jesus was the One who had been speaking to them from the shore and shared this realization with the others on board.

The disciples brought their full nets to the shore. There, they found Jesus already had fish cooking for them. At this point, Jesus gave us our text, “Come and dine.”

What kind of cook was Jesus?  I'm not sure, but it must have been a great meal.

There are several things we don't know. The disciples had failed to catch any fish before Jesus spoke to them from the shore. Yet Jesus had prepared fish for their meal. Where did the fish come from? The Bible doesn't say.

Also, we don't know how long Jesus had been on the shore. The meal was ready when the disciples came to land. The fish had been prepared, the fire was already burning and the food was nearly ready to eat.

Of course, Jesus did not need ordinary means to prepare a meal, but it seems that He used ordinary means on this occasion. We typically think little about such ordinary means. Cooking is a joy for some and a burdensome task for others. Yet Jesus did the cooking Himself on this occasion.

Personally, I like to eat. I enjoy a good meal. My physique testifies of my ongoing experience of feasting on good food. I have to admit that eating is one of the few things I am actually good at. While I enjoy eating at restaurants, there is no substitute for great home cooking. Yes, I love feasting on a good, juicy steak. But I also enjoy beans, fried potatoes and homemade cornbread. I admit that fish is not high on my list of favorite foods, but I do enjoy fried flounder on occasion.

The story of the disciple's fishing expedition teaches us a few things. First, Jesus knows and cares about our work. Many of the disciples were professional fishermen. Yet Jesus knew more about fishing than they did. When you face challenges on the job, do you ever pray about them? You may be surprised to know that the Lord knows more about your work than you do. Call on Him when you need help. It could be that your empty nets could be filled in just a moment.

Next, Jesus cared about their tangible needs. On more than one occasion, Jesus fed thousands. He cared about their hunger. He cares about your daily needs. In fact, He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Like Jesus, we should care about the hungry around us and work with others to see that their need is met.

Of course, there is a spiritual hunger that only Jesus can satisfy. To the hungry soul, He gives the invitation, “Come and dine.”

“Come” is a word often used to invite hungry souls to feast at the Master's table. Jesus is the One who extends this invitation. He invites people to come to Him for soul-satisfying food.

There are many good things in this world. I am a strong proponent of the local church. I believe that preachers should feed their flock at each service. Yet the food that is dispensed from the pulpit actually comes from God's Word. The Lord is the One who feeds hungry souls.

The invitation still goes forth right now. “Come and dine.” Come to Jesus right now. Come empty handed. Bring your longing hunger and unquenched thirst.

The disciples were fed by Jesus that day. Yes, they had their nets full of fish, but what they enjoyed was not produced by their effort. Jesus provided it by grace.

Whether your nets are full or empty, bring your hungry soul to Jesus today.

Come and dine!

A Place Where The Hungry Are Fed

 A PLACE WHERE THE HUNGRY ARE FED

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” - Isaiah 55:2

Back in the 1970's, Peter Falk starred in a mystery series called, “Columbo.” In the series, Lt. Columbo wore a raggedy rain coat. He looked disheveled. His hair wasn't always combed correctly. To be honest, he always looked like a bum. He drove a very old beat-up French car that looked like it belonged in a metal heap.

In one particular episode, Columbo goes to a soup kitchen to interview a homeless man that may have been a witness to a murder. When Lt. Columbo entered the soup kitchen, a nun sees him and treats him like a homeless person. She gives him a meal (which he eats). She seeks to find a new coat for him. Even after he identifies himself as a policeman, she wrongly assumes he is working undercover. It is a humorous scene.

Sadly, there are many people in our world that do not have a meal to eat. They will go to bed hungry tonight. It is tragic that people are starving to death in some countries while we have food to spare here in America. As Christians, we should have a desire to see that this problem is solved.

The greatest need in our world is not physical hunger. It is spiritual hunger. Most people are starving spiritually. Even here in America, where churches are abundant, most of the people in our communities are in dire need of spiritual food. I think this is a need we should address today.

Spiritually, most people go to the garbage dump for their meal. They eat from the filthy, vile food of sin. It is garbage food. The poor and the rich alike are guilty of feasting daily at the garbage dumpster. That's all they know. They were brought up to eat rotten food. Their appetite has become accustomed to this kind of diet. Ultimately, this form of nourishment poisons the person and leaves them hungry and dying.

Isaiah 55:2 poses this question, “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” The devil makes you pay for the food he offers. It looks good. It may even seem good at first, but the end result is deadly. Moses realized that the pleasures of sin were just for a season. Many destitute souls need to be awakened to the fact that the devil is robbing them blind. He is making them pay for food that is deceitful, dangerous and never satisfies.

Are you tired of living in the gutter? Are you tired of being a slave to alcohol, drugs or immorality? I think it is time for people to wake up to the fact that the devil has deceived them into eating the garbage food of sin. It is time for folks to realize that their lives are wasting away with nothing to show but sinful indulgences. Many need to awaken to the fact that they are hungry and dying, O, that people would respond like four lepers of 2 Kings chapter 7. They we dying of hunger. With dissatisfaction and desperation, the lepers cried out, “why sit we here until we die?” They left behind their destitution and found the food they yearned for. May you do the same!!

There is a place where the hungry are fed. The same One who fed thousands with just five loaves and two fishes is in charge of the menu. He invites everyone to come and feast at His table. The good news is that He never charges. In fact, your money is not welcome there. Leave your checkbook behind. No credit card is accepted. Your meal has already been paid for. Simply come and feast on the good meal He provides.

Isaiah 55:2 continues to say, “... hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” The Lord feeds hungry souls.

The Lord invites you to come and feast at His table. Many people refuse to come because they are embarrassed to come publicly to Jesus. They are ashamed to enter the Lord's house and feast at His table. Pride ruins many people. Why let your pride rob you of life-giving food? It is better to be an humble servant that is well fed & happy than to be a proud king that is starving to death.

Leave your pride behind. In fact, leave everything behind. Leave the garbage dump and come to the Lord's banquet table. Simply bring yourself and your appetite to Jesus. Feast on the Bread of Life. Drink from the Living Water.

There is a place where the hungry are fed. The Master's table is spread with heavenly manna. No one has ever been turned away. Neither has any soul come to His table and left hungry.

Come and feast at the place where the hungry are fed.