Mm Mm Good

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)

This morning our message is “Mm Mm Good.” If you grew up in my generation you probably can remember a Campbell Soup commerical on television and the characters after eating a grill cheese sandwich and tomato soup would say, “Mm! Mm! Good!” The other day some students said in class discussion, “God is Mm, Mm Good?” As I pondered on this statement, I remembered King David saying similar words.

Introduction: Allow me to set the picture which begins in 1 Samuel 18-22 (really to chapter 26). It’s vitally important that you know the history of David in order to acquire an understanding to his behavior.

Jonathan (King Saul’s son) and David became best friends. Saul appointed David as a high army official where after a war there was a celebration. The women of Israel while dancing sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” The scriptures continue that King Saul became extremely jealous and fearful of David. An evil spirit came upon Saul (that’s another sermon…but a tag is don’t leave doors open for the enemy to enter) and he attempted twice to kill David. Saul could see God’s anointing upon David so Saul (no longer in God’s blessing) sent David away. David was highly successful because God’s hands was upon him. Later on Saul plotted for the Philistines to kill David even after David married Saul’s daughter. Saul wanted David dead church!!! Jonathan intercedes on David’s behalf and converses with his father the king where Saul stated he would not attempt to kill David. But as soon as David goes to war again and successfully wins, King Saul became enraged again for the people spoke highly of David. Thus Saul attempted again kill David. Saul’s daughter, Michal (David’s wife) informed David of her father’s plan and helped David to escape. David goes to Ramah and informed the Prophet Samuel of his situation. Three more times Saul’s soliders attempted to capture David but the Prophet Samuel and other prophets interceded on David’s behalf where Saul’s men even began to prophesied. Finally Saul goes to capture David and he himself began to prophesied. Oh amazingly so, Saul walked into a true atmospheric presence of the Lord and began to prophesied for he was no longer in control but under the unction of God (another story). The story continues with David returning to speak with Jonathan and they made a covenant for David’s protection from King Saul. After three days of David not appearing to the dinner table, King Saul and Jonathan got into a conversation. Jonathan questioned his father as to why he desired to kill David. The king became angry and hurled a spear at his own son. Jonathan eyes open for he now realized that all David said to him was true. David and Jonathan agreed to a signal indicating freedom or death. Jonathan activated the signal and David fleed. He sought refuge with Achish, the King of Gath (also known as Abimelech, the priest). Hang in there with me, we’re going somewhere. Just when you think things can’t get any worst, something else surfaces. Someone recognized David; heard Abimelech and David’s conversation then informed Saul. Fearful of being recognized, David pretended to be insane. Abimelech becames aggravated and sent David away where he hid in the Cave of Adullam. Later, Saul sent for Abimelech and his family and ordered their death. The Edomite took their life except for Abimelech’s son Abiathar (who escaped and joined David).

As you can see, David endured a lot. Yet, “When he pretended to be insame before Abimelech…” David doesn’t become angry with God but rather he reveals his love for Him and writes Psalm 34. David said “8Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” which is our based scripture this morning.

What about you? Regardless of your going through experiences, are you so thankful to God that you’ll encourage others to taste Him for themselves? David did! David understood that Jehovah, (the Lord) was his provider, protector, and deliverer. He understood this because David had personal experience (taste) and witness (see) to the goodness of God. Regardless to what he encounter, David reflected on God’s undying love towards him. For, time after time, King Saul made every effort to kill David but God blocked the king’s every attempt. So David recognized (saw) God’s goodness and made a personal confession, “1I will extol (bless) the Lord at all times (in good and bad times) for His praise will always (not some times but every waking moment) be on my lips.” In Psalm 34, David is so grateful for God’s goodness that he invokes others to join him in witnessing and tasting God’s abundant love. He said, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him”