The Perfect Gift

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

I recall one of many visits to my grandmother-in-laws southern home; sitting on the rocking chair front porch with my in-laws after a family meal. The conversations would sometimes last for hours. They would begin while there was still some daylight, but would end near dark.

This verse causes me to reflect on those shadows that form as the sun fades and how they continually move until they disappear all together. They are never still. Think about it a moment.

This verse says, “the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God does not change. He is faithful. He is consistent. He is dependable. He is reliable. He is Holy. He is the same as He was yesterday. He is the same today and will be the same tomorrow. His words written two thousand years ago are just as reliable, dependable, and valid today as they were back then. What He promised is still true today. “For everything that was written in the past, was written to teach us, so that through the endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, you might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Unlike the shifting and continually changing of the shadows, God’s promises are promises you can depend on. The prophecies written and unfulfilled you can trust they will be fulfilled. His words of love, encouragement, strength, patience, gentleness, and kindness are available today and tomorrow and forever; “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” He will not change.

It is His desire; He longs to give you, every good and every perfect gift. He desires to show you that He is real. He longs to express His love for His creation; “for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph 3:20).” He wants you to know Him. He longs to reveal Himself to you.

Do you know him? Do you desire to know this God who “gives every good and every perfect gift?” Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord;’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Simply pray this scripture to God and confess Jesus as Lord of your life. Discover God – with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Discover His strength. Discover His love. Discover His passion for His creation – you and me. Discover a purpose for life. Allow God to infiltrate your heart and show you that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth. His love is deep. His love is wide. He longs for you and He loves you.