READ: Psalm 34:8 NLT
'Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!'
After leaving University I spent two years living in Kerala, South India. It’s a beautiful state and the vegetation is so lush and dense that, from the air, it looks like a huge jungle. One of the most amazing discoveries was the vast range of new fruits. I had never heard of custard apple or jack fruit and could hardly believe it when I was told that they had 63 different varieties of banana! During those two years my taste-buds worked overtime. I could have played it safe and stayed with the fruits and other foods that I was used to, but I am so glad that I explored an amazing variety of entirely new tastes.
Day by day God is constantly inviting us to step into new experiences in order to taste different aspects of his love and grace. Throughout the world and history, people have worshipped God in an amazing variety of ways. It is often good for us to step out of our familiar ways of worshipping to see God from different perspectives. However well we know God, we have so much more to learn about him and entering into other forms of worship can set us free to experience him in new ways. 
God also offers us a constantly changing variety of ways of serving him. We learn so much more about God as we stretch ourselves in his service. As we face new challenges and new opportunities we learn more about God’s provision. If we play it safe we will miss out on these experiences. I love the second part of this verse. David thanks God for the joy of knowing that he is totally secure in God’s hands. For so many people the future is a threat and something to be feared. But not for the person who knows God. We can walk into the future with both a deep confidence but also a real excitement because we know that day by day we will constantly experiencing more of his love and grace.
QUESTION: What have you recently tasted of God’s goodness? 
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the amazing security that we find in you. And thank you that, at the same time, we are constantly having new experiences of your greatness and love. Amen.

Released on 28 Oct 2020