The only thing I like more than a good recipe is a new good recipe. I often find them in my Pinterest feed. Each image lures me with the promise of being worth my effort.

My recent favorites include salmon cakes with tartar sauce and Mahi Mahi with lemon garlic cream sauce. Obviously, I’m partial to seafood with sauce. But it takes more time and ingredients to make this tasty addition.

If I’m in a hurry or tired, I’m tempted to omit the wow factor (much to my family’s disappointment). But the recipe’s creator didn’t intend for the dish to be served without it. The sauce enhances the flavor and the visual appearance of the dish.

If you wonder where all this food talk is taking me, it’s leading to a spiritual truth. When God’s servant, David, was being pursued by his enemies in the wilderness, he wrote psalms (songs) to encourage himself. In Psalm 63, David described what God did for his life.

“You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:5-7 NLT).

Undoubtedly, water and food were scarce in the wilderness. And yet, for David, fellowship with God quenched his thirst and satisfied his hunger. (see Psalm 63:1-7) He indulged himself with praising, meditating, and singing about the God who helped him.

David’s example shows us in tough times or anytime, as we choose to enjoy God’s presence, we can exchange our cares and concerns for a sacred satisfaction. Hence, the Message Bible’s paraphrase of this verse says, “I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy…” (Psalms 63:5‭-‬8 MSG)

If you’re not a meat eater, pardon David’s food choice. But David makes an excellent point. He made the most of His time with God. I want to do the same. But I know what it’s like to lose focus or to be so tired that I miss the spiritual gravy.

And yet, what if we enter God’s presence with one purpose in mind (the entree), but He desires to give us more?

Our entree may be our request for what we want God to do. His “more” may be His desire for how He wants us to be.

Hence, His “more” moments may appear as we reread a scripture and meditate on His truth throughout the day.

They can happen when we linger in God’s presence in silence or continual worship.

Being willing to pour our heart out to God, without watching a clock or filtering an emotion, may lead to greater realizations that He is our Helper.

You may already do all of these things. But these suggestions are not intended to make us doubt the quality of our current time with God. Any encounter with Him can do more than we can imagine. However, with each encounter, we can soak in more of His goodness. (Psalm 34:8) It may be through prayer, praise, or the personal study of His word. We have an open invitation by God’s grace. Let’s come with an open heart.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, through faith in Christ, I can taste and see Your goodness. While the world offers me its delights, may I remember that You satisfy me more than the richest feast. Because you are my Helper, I sing for joy. Whether it is during my quiet time or at any other time, I am grateful for how You choose to reveal Yourself to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

JOY TO THE SOUL: “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT)

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