As we spend the next month thanking God for His goodness, I thought it might be helpful to define “good”.
The other day I fixed Dave one of his favorite meals, beef stroganoff. Not with noodles but with mashed potatoes. It had been a long time since I made it and with each bite he said, “this is good, so good”.
Then yesterday I went for my regular eye exam. As the doctor looked at the images of my eyes he said, “They look really good – no signs of cataracts, degeneration or retinal tears”.
Add to that the reports that parents like to hear about their children, “He’s such a good boy. She’s a good listener and so kind”.
Good food. Good report. Good kids.
But God…He is the embodiment of goodness! Not just the taste of a meal or the report of a physical condition. Not even the assessment of character. He is good and His goodness endures forever.
“You are my friend, my fortress, where I am safe. You are my shield, and you made me the ruler of our people.” Psalm 144:2 CEV
“My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” Psalm 144:2 KJV
I found these verses this morning and it struck me in a different way. In the old King James language the word goodness is used but in a more modern translation of the language the word goodness is replaced with “friend”.
God shows us His goodness like a trusted friend.
“Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. 2 Let Israel shout, ‘God is always merciful!’” Psalm 118:1-2 CEV
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 118:1-2 KJV
And here the word good is translated kind.
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. 9 Honor the Lord! You are his special people. No one who honors the Lord will ever be in need.” Psalm 34:8-9 CEV
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” Psalm 34:8-9 KJV
Again, good is translated to kind.
Our God, our Father, is a kind and trusted friend. His goodness and mercy will always be!