Taste and See

“Assailed by scandal and the tongue of strife, Our only answer is the blameless life.” —Wm. Cowper

When your body argues that there's no good reason to continue, call on your spirit. It agrees with God.

What makes us “steadfast, immovable” (1 Cor 15:58)? Look back to the cross and ahead to the glory. 

Safe on the Rock, dwelling in His tabernacle, under His wings—mixed metaphors never sounded so good!

How ready God is to give us another chance! Like His wisdom, He is “easy to be entreated” (Jas 3:17, KJV).

Why should the wicked fear God's mercy? Because His mercy for us means wrath upon our oppressors.

Mercy and wrath are united in the character of God. His wrath defends those who trust in His mercy. 

The tribulation will be “unmatched from the beginning of the world until now” (Mt 24:21, BSB). What will the faithful sing?

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Ps 25:10).

We are “as sheep in the midst of wolves,” so we need to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16).

“Apple trees bear apples, wheat stalks produce wheat, and forgiven people forgive people.” —Max Lucado

“How blest are they whose trespass has freely been forgiven, whose sins are wholly covered before the sight of heaven.”

“The psalm is like an April day, in which sunshine and rain chase each other across the plain.” —A. MacLaren

In Psalm 30:5, sorrow is viewed as an overnight guest, but the next morning joy moves in to stay.

“Storms help to make the sailors sturdy, and trials help to make Christians strong in faith.” —C.H. Spurgeon

“Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear;…Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.” —George Croly

“To seek God is the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.” —Augustine

Faith runs to the Savior. Fear runs from the foe. Why not do both at the same time?

“Integrity means people are the same on the inside as they claim to be on the outside.” — Billy Graham

“When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.” — C. Tindley

In the case of others' faults, sometimes it's good to “distinctly remember forgetting,” as Clara Barton said.

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom…shall not be destroyed” (Dan 7:14).

Satisfaction, Provision, Restoration, Direction, Protection, Accommodation, Destination—in 6 verses?

Christ not only dealt with sin, but must “destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb 2:14).

“What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!”

“Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?” — Isaac Watts

For 40 days Jesus “was with the wild animals” (Mk 1:13, BSB), yet they left no mark on Him. Man, however…

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (Jn 16:33, BSB).

“The Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's” (1 Sam 17:47, ESV).

One fact isn't in doubt: God has spoken—through the world, the Word, and the will. Are we listening? 

“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name” (Ps 18:49). 

Holy confidence is grounded in the promises of God and unleashes the power of God for us. 

When we trust God enough to ask for help, we soon discover that His help increases our trust. 

“Nothing between my soul and the Savior,…Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.” —C.A. Tindley

“Nothing in this world measures up to the simple pleasure of experiencing the presence of God.” —A.W. Tozer 

Look back and thank the Lord; look ahead and trust the Lord; look up and talk with the Lord.

Ever since man was expelled from the Garden, he's been trying to pretend he's in the “in” crowd. 

They say the atheist's holiday is April 1. But did you know the atheists also have a psalm? 

Our Lord is “a sun” (Ps 84:11). That's illuminating, isn't it! So no need to dwell in the dark.

“Our tongue is a messenger that runs errands for our heart. Our words reveal our character.” —C. Swindoll 

There are times to flee (for example, 2 Tim 2:22), but at other times God calls us to stand our ground. 

Both the patterns and the inter ruptions are important in seeing the way God works in our lives. 

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” (Nah 1:3). 

“Jesus on the judgment throne will be consternation for His enemies and consolation for His people.” —J. Murray

“Jesus is not a footnote to Adam and his Fall; the Fall…is a footnote to the purpose of God in Christ.” —B. Kruger

When others unjustly start name-calling, what do we do? We call on the name of the Lord!

When He makes you lie down, even in green pastures (see Ps 23:2), it helps you to look up. 

Eternity strides toward us. Finding joy in Christ now prepares us for the unbroken joy of heaven. 

“All nature…praises God. If I were silent, I should be the exception in the universe.” —C.H. Spurgeon 

You may have heard it said (it's still good advice) that talking to the Shepherd is better than counting sheep. 

Often it's not a change of circumstances but of outlook we need. We need our Head-Lifter-Upper.