Tag: 2 Timothy 2:13

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Él es Bueno

Dearest sister,

As I read Colleen’s letter, I realized how I often forget that God is good. I know He is holy, merciful, and omnipotent (and many other things) but I seldom think about God’s goodness. As I stop to reflect on the reason for this neglect, I quickly am displeased with myself. I find that it’s because I often do not take adequate time to dwell on the person of God and all that He is. So let us dwell on it together.

Goodness is an attribute of God. Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (see also Ps. 106:1; 136:1; 118:1). Now for some reason when I read the ‘is’ in this sentence I was reminded of when I learned the difference between the verbs ser (rhymes with hair) and estar in Spanish class. Both verbs mean “to be” but which verb you use depends on the permanence of what is being described. (This is something we don’t see in English.) I learned the jingle: For how you feel and where you are always use the verb estar. Feelings and your current location are temporary. However, where you are from, what you do, and what you are like is permanent. For these descriptions you use ser.

The psalms exhort us to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” In Spanish, “Alabad a Jehová, porque él es bueno.” (Psalm 107:1) Es is a conjugation of the verb ser, the form used to describe permanent characteristics! This means that God is inherently good; it is part of His unchanging character. It’s permanent. God is good and His works are good.

Sister, are you struggling to find God’s goodness in your life? Do you question how God is going to work something out for your good? I promise that you are not alone in your fears. During these difficult times, remember that the character of the Lord never changes, “for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13) His goodness will never fail, even if you can’t see it.

Keep pressing on,

Kayla

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Walking in Steadfastness

Steadfast (sted-fast) adjective

Merriam-Webster gives two definitions for the word steadfast: 1. A: firmly fixed in place. B: Not subject to change 2. Firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Wow. Just in the past few months, or even weeks, the Lord has been patiently working this quality into my life. Yet, dear sister, I have been fairly resistant to the construction he’s been doing in my heart and have not cooperated with the Holy Spirit in my sanctification. I have had plenty of opportunities to practice steadfastness and instead have practiced procrastination and changefulness.

Not long ago I was feeling defeated in more than one area of my life and all I wanted to do was give up—I almost did. It seemed that the success or the victory I was searching for was—is—eternally beyond my grasp. But the Lord did a work in me. Through his word and through his people He showed me that what I wanted to do was not what was best for me even though it was definitely the easier route to take. And so begins my lesson in steadfastness, a lesson I foresee taking a lifetime to learn.

This evening I came home and pretty much right as I walked in the door, I snapped at my dad over something that had been frustrating me earlier in the day. Looking back at my hasty remarks and frustrated shouts, I’m sure glad I don’t have to worry about God lashing out on me because he had a bad day. Aren’t you? God is eternally the same. He is not subject to change; he is firmly fixed in one place. The Lord is steadfast. He will always keep his promises; He will always love us. His character is unchanging forever!

If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

What an encouragement this truth should be to us in our daily lives and in our daily walk with the Lord. God has not given up on us so neither should we! Yes, we have stumbled. Yes, we have wasted away time. Yes, we have lacked steadfastness. But it is not too late. We can always try again and if we lean on the strength of the Lord we can do better. We must work with the Lord, not against him. Keep fighting the good fight. When you want to give up, don’t! The Lord is still with you even in your weakest moments. In your ministry, in your learning, in your practicing, in your striving, He is still with you. He will remain steadfast, faithfully walking with you every step of the way. Won’t you walk with Him, dear sister?

Walking with you,

Kayla