The Tasteberry of Christianity

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped. (Psalm 63:2-11 ESV).

I’ve heard a story about a man who bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how he would perform, he took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had caught the scent of a deer that had crossed the bear's path. A few moments later he halted again, this time smelling a rabbit that had crossed the path of the deer. And so, on and on it went until finally the breathless hunter caught up with his dog, only to find him barking triumphantly down the hole of a field mouse. Sometimes we’re like that. We start out with the best of intent to keep Christ first in our lives. But soon, our attention is diverted to things of lesser importance. One pursuit leads to another until we've strayed far from our original purpose.

There are some practical habits that we can develop that will help us stay on track. The psalm from David we have just read gives us five of these.

1. First, we ought to worship. There are some that have seen this exercise as merely going to church. However, as important as that can be, David was no where near the temple when he made wrote this psalm. He was hiding in the hillsides of Judea, yet he worshipped. He understood that genuine worship is the standing in awe of God wherever you are.

2. Second, we ought to praise God. Praise is the "taste berry" of Christianity. There is a berry in Africa that the natives use to “sweeten” their foods. It is a bitter tasting berry. They will eat one before other foods and the juices from it cause anything else they eat to be sweet to the taste. You may be in a time when you feel there is nothing to praise God in your life. Lift up your soul to face Him and watch how the “taste” of your life’s events starts to sweeten.

3. Third, we ought to meditate. Meditation is the art of listening to God. Find a quiet moment and think on the things of God that you already know. Listen for His response as you open your spiritual ears to Him.

4. Fourth, we ought to sing. For some of us the thought of singing is as near torture as we will ever come! All of us have the ability to make music. Do you remember the song in Snow White, “Just Whistle While You Work”? There is a wonderful change that takes place when we let our soul sing the song planted within it by the grace of God. Try it for yourself this morning, even if it’s only a whistle!

5. And, last, we ought to rejoice. This is the point of genuine surrender. Here we find a true sense of grace filling our hearts and minds. After all, God knows our frail, sinful nature all too well. Yet, he still loves us! Rejoice in the love of your Father in heaven!