Week 31: Psalm 34

Psalm 34

Before the term “foodie” was coined, I was one. Some of my fondest and earliest memories revolve around the kitchen. Dad taught me to shake hot sauce and red pepper flakes onto everything as a little girl–pizza, pasta, eggs, you name it. I'm forever marked by a love for spicy food, with a burnt esophagus (now healed!) to prove it. Mom made the best potato chip chicken. Over months, she'd store up bits and bobs of the crumbs that linger on the bottom of various, finished bags of kettle chips. Once the crumbs had collected, she'd dip cubes of chicken into egg wash and then into the salty potato chips, baking them until goldenly perfect. Always served with ranch dip–Hidden Valley to be exact. 

Before I could put words to what I felt about these moments surrounding food, I saw and I'd tasted. It was good.

I can't help but think of Psalm 34 in the context of a fancy dinner party invite.

Theme: ​​”Taste and See That the Lord Is Good.”

Attire: Shame-free radiance

Please bring: Yourself and a friend who needs to know or be reminded of the Lord's goodness, care, and provision in their life.

Arrive: Anytime. All the time. You're always welcome at His table.

The evening begins with the host blessing the Lord, ascribing goodness to His name and inviting the guests to clink their glasses and join in, magnifying the Lord together as they share about what He has done for each of them. I envision the host detailing their innermost prayer life to the group, telling about how they've sought the Lord and yes, He has answered them and every fear laid before God, they've been delivered from.

My long-time favorite verse comes next. As a woman, wouldn't we all love to be described as radiant with faces that will never be ashamed? If your eyes are on Christ, this is what He says of you. The softened butter and fresh bread gets passed around and everyone is just delighted, settling into the evening of togetherness, abundance, and recounting who God has been to them. 

In this Psalm, we see that there is no lack or good thing withheld by God for those who fear Him. No leaving empty, spiritually or physically, from this dinner party. When you've personally tasted God's goodness and been stripped of your shame, you're then enabled by the Spirit to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” A dinner party full of worshipful chatter, encouragement, and reconciliation, rather than gossip that ruins the very flavor of the food gracing our tongues? This is the life of turning away from evil, doing good, seeking peace, and pursuing it. This is the life of a woman who is led by the Spirit and filled by her constant savoring of Jesus Christ. His attention is on her as he delivers her, blesses her, redeems her, draws near to her, answers her, and saves her. We see it all in this Psalm.

Dine at His table. You'll see and you'll taste that He is good.

-Alexis