Taste and See God’s Goodness this Summer

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the person who goes to him for safety.” Psalm 34:8 (NIRV)

Psalm 34:8 tells us to “taste and see” how good our God is. Growing up, I always thought that verse was a little silly. How do I “taste” God? I enjoy a good snack just as much as the next kidmin leader, but this verse talks about more than just food consumption.

During my research and lesson prep for this Sundae Sunday lesson, I dove into the meaning of Psalm 34:8 to discover its sweet truths, and God’s been showing me how this powerful verse reminds us of His goodness and invites us to taste and see it in our ministries during the summer.

Psalm 34:8 encapsulates a profound truth: God’s goodness is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that can be experienced personally. It encourages us to engage with God, to take a leap of faith, and to encounter His goodness in our everyday lives. Just as we savor and relish the flavors of food, we are called to immerse ourselves in the goodness of the Lord.

As kids learn in this ice-cream-themed lesson, when Psalm 34:8 encourages us to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” it means that we should pay attention to all the sweet things God gives us and remember who God is. This psalm is an invitation to trust God and experience His goodness in our lives, to know God and have a relationship with Him, and to remember that He loves us.

Summer provides a prime time for us to experience countless opportunities to witness God’s goodness in action. We hosted our VBS at the beginning of June with over 400 kids learning what it means to follow Jesus in their lives. Last week, we were at beach camp with our high school students, investing in relationships with each other and with God. Coming up, we’ve got more events, camps, and service projects on the calendar. I’m excited and expectant to “taste and see” how God works in this busy summer season. (And if you want help hosting summer events or providing at-home resources to help your families experience God, check out our summer resources here!)

As we continue on the adventure of summer ministry, let us heed the invitation of Psalm 34:8 to taste and see that the Lord is good. As we create spaces for children and families to encounter Him, let us trust in His faithfulness and take refuge in His loving presence. And let us never forget that as we lead kids and families into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with a good God, we are also recipients of God’s abundant goodness too.

Psst – use this Sunday Celebrations 5-year Printable Journal to help you taste and see God’s goodness over several years!

These truths and this blog post were inspired by my research, prayer, and meditation of Psalm 34:8 in preparation for Sundae Sunday, an ice-cream-themed Sunday service or family event that presents the gospel message through Psalm 34:8, which invites us to “taste and see” God’s goodness in our lives. Learn more about this ice-cream-themed event here, and consider using it for National Ice Cream Day (the 3rd Sunday in July in the U.S.)!