No Leftovers

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

诗篇 34:8 你们要尝尝主恩的滋味，便知道他是美善；投靠他的人有福了！

I love the day after Thanksgiving. There's nothing like turkey sandwiches with cold stuffing and cranberry蔓越莓 sauce spread right on soft, white bread. And day-old pumpkin pie? Yum.

On Thanksgiving, Ken and I read through some Old Testament passages to help us get into a "gratitude感激" spirit.  We discussed the wonderful things God did in the past like parting the Red Sea and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  God served up a full course meal of spectacular miracles back then.

But what about today?  Are we tasting "leftovers" just because no seas are parting? Is God serving up something less than His "best" if He chooses to reveal Himself through the pages of His Word rather than through the pillar of fire and cloud of smoke?

God's acts are no less mighty and our thanksgivings are no less earnest认真的 than those who laid themselves prostrate卧倒的 in the Old Testament. God didn't just flex His muscles力量;权力 in ancient times to leave us with leftovers. When He served up His mighty acts in the Old Testament, God didn't say, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good"only to dish out to us something less than His best. Nothing is ever "day old" or warmed up when it comes to God's workings. What He does always tastes good, is delightful, and is worthy of thanksgiving.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good": God may have given Solomon wisdom, but hasn't He done the same for you? He may have delivered Gideon, but hasn't He rescued you as well? God satisfied the mouth of David with good things, but hasn't the Lord also fattened your soul with more blessings than you can count? Which of us has not been made to lie down in green pastures? We all know what it's like to be led by still waters.

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"(Psalm 103:1-2).  While the Thanksgiving blessings are still fresh in your mind, while the prayers of gratitude are still echoing around the table, forget not all His benefits.

I give thanks, God, that You were good to the people of old, and that I can say with them, oh taste and see. The Lord is good.

神啊，我称谢于你，因你赐恩于我，就如你对古时的先贤一般、如今我也可以像他们一样赞美你的恩典，因我也尝到主恩的滋味，你是何等美善！

Blessings,

Joni and Friends