Try Jesus!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who take refuge in him." (Psalm 34.8)
When I was growing up, there was a humorous cereal commercial that used to play on t.v. There were some young boys who were sitting at the breakfast table despairing that they had to try this "new healthy cereal." Suddenly, one of them looks at his younger brother and says, "Give it to Mikey, he'll try anything." Mikey then proceeded to chow down the cereal, enjoying every bite. To which the older brother declares, "Hey Mikey! He likes it!" The guinea pig has performed well! Presumably, the older brother can now eat the cereal with no fear that it will be "yucky."
We humans are kind of like Mikey. We will try anything at least once. The psalm writer for today declares that we should also try the Lord: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Some of us have tasted more of the world than we would like to admit. Still, the invitation is open: TRY Jesus! You see, the psalm writer knows that if we really try God, if we really worship and serve the Lord, we will not be disappointed. There is no better way to live. (I do not mean that there will never be trials. But the trails will come whether we serve God or not. Bu do we want to be alone in those trials or do we want the Lord of the Universe to help us? Do we want to live life as meaningless randomness or do we want to have purpose, direction, and eternal life with the God who made us? The choice is ours).
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once gave some interesting directions for singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. He wrote, "Sing [God's songs] lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan."
Most of us have flirted with sin at some level in our lives (whether it be gossip, wanting what others have, making idols of money or possessions, judging others, gluttony, selfishness, sexual sin, greed, or breaking our promises.) NOW is the time to try Jesus, to accept Him as Savior and Lord of our lives. "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"