On Reflection
ACCORDING to one website detailing “national days”, November 4 is National Candy Day, to be celebrated by indulging in our favourite sweeties!
The word “candy” is thought to come from an old Persian word for cane sugar. In the days before sugar was globally available, treats were made from honey and used medicinally to help digestion by those who could afford such luxury.
The candy industry took off in the 1800s, with the wide availability of sugar, inventions such as the revolving steam pan and candy presses, and not a little entrepreneurial marketing.
These days no trip to the shops is complete without sweets for the kids, including the “big kids”. Even Gran and Grandad can be found sucking a mint or wolfing an ice-cream!
Taste is one of our God-given senses – a way to enjoy the wonders of his creation. We love to try tasty recipes, be they sweet or savoury. Some things are less palatable than others, however.
Taste thus becomes a good illustration of the experiences we have in life.
Some things are sweet, some are sour. Some encounters make us smile, others fill us with bitter regret.
A worshipper of God declares his delight in God’s laws and commands and all he reveals in Scripture in Psalm 119:
“Oh, how I love your law!” he exclaims. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Later, the prophet Jeremiah is distraught because people have neglected God’s laws, and seen national decline and disaster. He expresses the bitter taste of God’s holy discipline in vivid terms.
Far from blaming God for distressing circumstances, this spiritual writer is more determined to humbly seek grace and comfort from his maker and judge.
In this passage he affirms, “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”
“O taste and see how gracious the Lord is,” King David urges in Psalm 34.
God’s love is nowhere better “tasted” than in trusting Jesus, who referred to himself as “the bread of life” needed for survival, and ‘“the true vine” bringing flavour to our living.
The apostles, and millions since, have verified this truth, that even when facing the challenges and sorrows of life, we can know the deepest comfort, and a real sweetness, in knowing and serving him.
An old Gospel Hall favourite by American F.A. Graves puts it like this: “Oh my brother, do you know the saviour Who is wondrous, kind and true?
He’s the rock of your salvation.
There’s honey in the rock for you!” ■
Next week: Rev. Barbara Mosse considers the importance of Remembrance.