Taste and See

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. 

Like a soft breeze blowing through wind chimes, the Spirit stirred the hearts of the psalmists.

Two battles are fought at Zion's Hill. The first time, He's crushed (Isa 53:4); the next time, they will be. 

The King who doesn't break bruised reeds was given a reed as a scepter by men. How fitting! 

“In all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another.” —John Ruskin 

Like the future remnant of Judah (“Praise”), may we all “take root downward, and bear fruit upward” (Isa 37:31). 

Like varied threads that traverse a weaving, these five themes appear time and again in the Psalms. 

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in blessings. Breathe out praise. Isn't it hard holding your breath? 

He's the Alpha and Omega of God's glorious revelation, the Author and Finisher of His amazing plan. 

THE END. That's how a book concludes. But with “the end of the Lord” (Jas 5:11), He's just getting started! 

Christian faithfulness isn't heroics or theatrics. It's the dogged commitment to not give up on God. 

Job's unanswered questions lead him to one unquestioned answer: The Lord knows, and that's enough. 

“Relying on God” wrote C.S. Lewis, is “to start all over every day, as if nothing has yet been done.” 

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Prov 31:30, BSB).

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11).

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson 

It's vital to note that Job advocated for his friends while still in the ash heap; blessing follows faith.

“The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.” —George Washington 

The Lord wants us to get it: get things right, get past our problems, and then get on with living life to the full.

Dust and ashes! Were they evidence that God had abandoned Job? Or the perfect place to find Him! 

Can't see the forest for the Tree? The forest of hurts and slights and lies, for the Tree stained with blood! 

It was pride that changed angels into devils. Then what do you think it will do to you? 

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak, Can crush and kill, declared the Greek.” —P.B. Strong

“To be united to Christ by faith is to throw off the thraldom of hostile powers…Christ's victory is ours.” —F.F. Bruce 

“Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies” (Ps 44:5, BSB). 

We won't be overwhelmed by the Dragon's bullying if we overcome by the Lamb's blood (Rev 12:11). 

God says, “Behold, I am against you…O great monster who lies in the midst of his rivers” (Ezek 29:3). 

Imagine fishing for a sea monster with a hook and line. But in this sea story, it's Job who gets hooked!

“He who is not content with what he has, would not be content with what he would like to have.” —Socrates 

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength.” — Francis de Sales 

Just the grass family includes over 11,500 accepted species. I suppose we still have things to learn! 

Whatever these creatures are, they're giants to us. To God? He might consider them some of His pets. 

We all know what it's like to be humbled by a virus we can't see, and that doesn't even know it humbled us!