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