I woke up thinking about what it means to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8a). In my study I exchanged the word “taste” for a synonym: “savor”. The dictionary definition of the verb “savor” means “to taste or smell with pleasure; relish; to delight in”. We are encouraged throughout Scripture to delight in the Lord: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4) 

Taking delight in the Lord means that our hearts truly find peace and fulfillment in Him — that He satisfies us. When satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness to satisfy His physical hunger, “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)

There are times that we long for satisfaction and fulfillment for emotional, physical or spiritual needs. Having a need isn’t wrong, but where we look to satisfy that need is what’s important. Our most important need is for a relationship with the Lord. If we truly find satisfaction and worth in Christ, Scripture says He will give us the longings of our hearts–because our longing is for Him. When we truly rejoice or “delight” in the eternal things of God, our desires will begin to parallel His and we will never go unfulfilled. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [the necessities of life] will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33)

The worldly (demonic) way to go through life is to look to satisfy our various appetites in order to have “the good life”; but ultimately these quests leave us unsatisfied and empty. This is the lesson King Solomon learned in his pursuit of earthly treasure: “Everything is meaningless” (Eccl 1:2). On the other hand, delighting in the Lord is true treasure indeed: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim 6:6).

Real satisfaction comes from our total commitment to the Lord and by living by every word that comes from Him. Moses’ words from the Lord are just as true today: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deut 8:3)

This world can never satisfy our deepest longings. In fact, if that is our quest, beware because “love for the Father is not in [us]” (1 Jn 2:15-17). But if we choose to delight in God’s way, He will always provide above and beyond our expectations, and we will be truly satisfied because the living water He gives “will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Taste (savor) and see that a committed, obedient relationship with the Lord is good. “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips” (Ps. 63.5).