Living Below the Blessing Line

(Psalms 34:8 ASV) Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him. 

Over the years I have noticed on church marquees, billboards and even on t-shirts the saying, “Try God.” This saying has always caused me a bit of consternation because it seemed to suggest that ‘trying God’ is no different than trying a new brand of coffee. My thoughts are...you either accept God or reject Him...but you do not try Him to see if a relationship can work out. That seems extremely dishonoring.

However, after studying our text a bit deeper I have come to the conclusion that I may have wrongly judged the people making such statements and possibly missed the intent behind the “Try God” idea. Perhaps there is a subliminal confidence behind their idea that coincides with the “Taste and see that Jehovah is good” idea in out text. If my conclusion is right then such an idea is not only refreshing, but full of faith, believing that once one “Tries or Tastes” God’s presence, then there is no turning back for them.

God’s desire has always been to bless us because He is the author of good. The result of the “Taste God” invitation in our text is that we are injected with happiness which results in His blessing.

However, the question that seems to resonate in my mind the most is how many blessings have we missed by not “Tasting God” in some area of our lives. Is it possible that we have given up on things before their conclusion?... things that would have led to a blessing. If that is the case then how far below the “Blessing Line” are we actually living?

Several years ago when my wife and I got new cars I was never able to get the factory built-in garage door opener in our cars to sync with our garage door. I tried several times, but could never make it work. I finely gave up on the sync idea and went on to what I believed to be more important things. We used portable garage door openers which I thought was a decent substitute for the real thing.

A couple of days ago while driving down the street (not far from home) I felt the Lord speak to me about giving up on things too easily. I thought to myself, “Lord I never give up on anything.” I had no more thought that when the Lord reminded me of my factory garage door opener and how I had given up on it and settled for the substitute.

I immediately felt pricked in my heart by the Lord, so I drove home with a level of faith and resolve that I was going to sync that garage door to our cars at all cost. Fifteen minutes later both cars were in full sync with my garage door.

I then ran into the house rejoicing and telling my wife of my long overdue victory. Later while reclining in my chair thinking about this whole garage door issue I seem to be aware of God’s “wee small voice.” It seemed to be saying, “How many other things have you given up on that I sent to you as a blessing?”

That question has never been out of my mind since that day.

Father,

I think I am beginning to understand the intent behind the saying, “Try God.” Psalms 34:8 says it this way, “Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in Him.” Lord my desire is to be a perpetual ‘Taster’ of You in all things. Help me Lord not to live below the “Blessing Line” that is rightly mine.

Amen