2023_09_08 Insight Post- Tammy Anderson

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” I Peter 2:1-3 (NIV, 1984)

In my 40-plus years as a Christian, there are times I have been close to God and times that I have not, ignoring the signs and being blind to my sin. Unfortunately, early on in my twenties, I blatantly walked away. But God was always inviting me back to Him. What drew me back to Him after walking away and keeps me close to Him today is His love and His goodness. After becoming a follower, I had a taste of what it was like to be in fellowship with Him, and after being away, I missed Him.

What Peter wrote in his letter to early Christians still encourages me today. He tells us what we need to leave behind, what we need to move toward in our new life with Christ, and what our reward is – tasting the goodness of the Lord.

What We Need to Leave Behind

When I returned to God, I needed to rid myself of destructive, sinful ways, especially the ones that were hurtful to others. Peter talks about ridding ourselves of things like malice, deceit, and envy. If I am treating others poorly, intentionally or not, then there are issues deep within my heart that indicate that I am at odds with God.

So, I asked for forgiveness, and God gave me and still gives me what I need for turning away from my strategies and sinful patterns (2 Peter 1:3). I am still a work in progress after all these years, but He is faithful!

What We Need to Move Toward

I have learned that what He wants from me is a heart surrendered to Him that craves Him like a newborn craves milk. Although I am assured of my salvation, even today I can be stubborn, but He welcomes me to grow deeper and closer to Him.

To have a heart that is surrendered to Him, I must spend time in His Word and pray, listening to and depending on the power of the Holy Spirit. It is important that I stay connected with my church family, especially my small group, where I learn and grow.

The Reward

The reward of doing this is getting a taste of the goodness of God! Psalm 34:8 (NLT) tells us, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” The Christian author Kristi Woods explains it well:

He offers protection, direction, peace, forgiveness, wisdom, and more. He is good. Taking refuge in the Lord indicates we trust Him – whether our situation or circumstances are good or bad. We run to Him for the little things in life, the big ones, too. And sometimes, leaning on God during those hard situations are when we truly taste and see His goodness the most.

His love and goodness are what brought me back to Him all those years ago, and today it is His love and goodness that keep me wanting to go deeper with Him.

Tammy Anderson
New Hope Small Group Leader

Reference: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/taste-and-see-that-the-lord-is-good-meaning.html