of Peter. God may have something far better in mind for us than we can imagine. This is what First Co rinthians 10:13 tells us. He will make a “way of escape” that we may be able to bear the trial or testing. In writing to the Philippians, Paul reminds the faithful that God’s gift is not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for His sake. In the 8th verse we have that com passionate invitation, “0 taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” The idea of tasting suggests that once we have partaken of this, we will never want to taste anything else again. After all, what could possibly satisfy? The things of this world are not palatable to one who is growing in Christian grace. Once in a while, as a treat, we take our fam ily to a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles which has a unique feature for parents. Any of the children un der 10 years of age are allowed to order anything they like off the menu free of charge. (You can imag ine how being a Scotsman I enjoy that!) Jimmy, who is nine, is the only one who gets to do this any more. The food is wonderful, too. Now our son can order steak, prime ribs or any of their other delicacies of which the waiter would serve a generous portion without cost. You know what happens instead? Jimmy wants a peanut butter sandwich! We try to encourage him to order some thing else, but he is not interested. We urge him to try a bite of a deli cious morsel, but he has no desire for it, How much he is like the peo ple of the world who pass by the Bread of Life for the husks of hu manity! The way to taste is the way to trust. Peter urges us to “desire the sincere milk of the Word” that we may grow thereby. The word “taste” here means to feast until one is sat isfied. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can bring contentment to the human
heart. If you are not daily feasting upon the Saviour, then you are not growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a rabbinical tradition to the effect that the manna given to the children of Israel as they trav eled in the wilderness tasted to each individual like that for which he had a craving. Whatever our need, the Lord can readily meet it as we turn to Him. Howard Ferrin, formerly presi dent of the Providence Bible Insti tute, spoke of an interesting experi ence he had one day as he followed a little boy home from the neighbor hood store. The lad was carrying a little pail which must have con- HE K N O W S BEST God knows what is best for me. Why should I worry or anxious be, Trying to fathom the course I take, Grasping at bubbles that fade and break? One step is all I have need to see. God knows what is best for me. God knows what is best for me Through all time and eternity. In my Father's house is a goodly store Of all that I shall need forevermore. With Him I rest, for I know that He Always gives what is best for me. tained something tasty for he would dip his finger into it to sample it. He kept on doing this all the way home. Hr. Ferrin was so amused that he stopped the boy and asked, “Sonny, what do you have in your pail ?” The child responded brightly, “I’ve got some honey, mister.” “Well, what kind of honey is it?” The boy re plied enthusiastically, “O, it’s good honey.” By now, at a loss for words, the child held out the pail and in vited, “Well, here, mister, try it for yourself and see!” This is exactly what God is saying. Yet, this invita tion concerning Christ to “taste and see” is only so many words unless one actually appropriates Him into his own heart and life.
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter