It was 53 years ago this month that I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus. I was 26 and did not yet realize what an awesome salvation that I had in Him. With the arrival of each August over the years, I have come to rejoice more and more. Knowing God’s favor upon His children should produce a glorious response in us.
“Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.” [Ps 5:11-12 NLT]
“The Lord is good, His mercy [love] endures forever” is the theme of the Old Testament. That song was sung at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, repeated by the psalmists. It was sung by Jehoshaphat’s army as they went in to battle and by the people who returned from captivity at the completion of the foundation for the post-exilic temple. It was acknowledged by Jeremiah and by Daniel.
In the New Testament it was Peter who reminded us that the Lord is good. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” [1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV]
Have you tasted that the LORD is good? If so, there should be a joyfulness that stretches far beyond circumstances and trials. There should also be a loud rejoicing that expresses that joy so that others might hear and come to “taste” that the LORD our God is Good!