Thursday 22nd
James 1:12-18
NIV (v17) – ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’
ESV (v17) – ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.’
Our heavenly Father is a great God, for he not only blesses us with eternal salvation, but he continually gives us gifts, good gifts, and perfect gifts. For very every gift from God is good and perfect.
The greatest gift of all is eternal life, for we were so undeserving of it, yet he gave himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ so that he could give to us this amazing gift, he also gives us the Holy Spirit, he has given us his word, he has given us the joy of being family together, and as Paul has expressed it in Ephesians 1:3, he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.’
This will be a shorter than usual devotion for I want it to be a devotion that will lead us to a place of gratitude to God for all he has done and all he is doing for us and also for all he has given and all he will yet give and all that has been already provided for us into eternity, in the words of Lamentation, ‘The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ (3:22–23)
James continues with words that should cause us to rejoice, the God who gives good and perfect gifts does not change, in him there is no variation or shadow due to change, therefore we can have an assured confidence in his continuing goodness and blessing toward us, his faithfulness is eternal, his mercy is eternal, his provision will be available tomorrow, next week, next month, next year . . . and right through the countless ages of eternity. This is our God, this is our Saviour, hold out your hands and receive his blessing for your life today and give him thanks from a grateful heart.