If you’re
anything like me, the morning comes all too suddenly! My alarm clock blares. I hit snooze.
Minutes later, I press it again.
Then, finally I’m up and awake. I
have a lot to do, and I rush to get ready.
I debate between spending time with God and doing all the things that
are “so important.” I have a decision to
make. Will I spend time worshipping the
God who created me to worship and treasure Him above all else? Let’s face it. We are in a struggle and if we are not careful,
the most needful thing in our lives can become the most neglected thing. Let’s be people who are consumed with worshipping
our God!
As you
read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: gift, Father, Word of Truth, and first-fruits.
Passage
for the day: James 1:17-18 (NASB)
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift
is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shifting
shadow.
18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, so that we
would be a
kind of first
fruits among
His creatures.
Questions
for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go
on to the next section.
According
to these verses, what is the source of good things?
Name
at least 5 good things that God has given you
What
does “no variation” or “shifting shadow” mean?
What
is the Word of Truth in verse 18?
Mediate on this:
Last time we learned that God is not the source of
evil temptation. In this passage, we
read that God is the source and true giver of “every good and perfect gift.” God is the only the source of good in our
lives. He is the source of the good fight within us that resists temptation and
strengthens our heart to pursue a growing and living faith. The gifts of God
are good because they never cause us to fall into sin. The gifts of God are
perfect because they are the fulfillment of God’s will for His people. The range of God’s giving includes both the
goodness that God has created in this universe as well as the perfect gifts God
gives to all who put their trust in Him and seek His wisdom. In Psalm 84:11, God promises to not withhold
any of these good things to those who do what is right! Truly, God is good in all that He does! And, as the Creator and Ruler of all things,
He is called the “Father of lights.” God orders the sun, moon, and
stars and controls all the changes in his creation. But He Himself does not change! The light and the shadows change from day to
day, but God never changes and is always the same.
In
verse 18, we see how God creates new life through His Word and His sovereign
plan. The contrast here is that God does
not cause us to be tempted by sin; instead, He gives us spiritual life! In the previous verses, we learn that the
result of sin is death. Before
salvation, we were dead in our sins, with seemingly no hope (Eph. 2:1-10); but
now God has breathed spiritual life into our dead bodies by the His truthful
and powerful Word! This “word of truth”
is the gospel. The same God who spoke
the world into existence is the same God who speaks the gospel to us and we are
given new life in Him! Those of us who
are saved will be first-fruits of God’s saving grace. In the Old Testament the “first-fruits” of living things, were those
offered to God in thanksgiving and became His precious and special possession. We are God’s precious ones – above all else
in His wonderful creation.
So,
how do these verses apply to our lives today?
First, we can find hope and satisfaction in God because He is always
good and will never change! Second, we
can be thankful to God because of the new life we have been given by the
gospel. He considers us to be His prized
and precious possession in the midst of all of the beautiful things He has
created. Let’s taste and see that God is
good!
(I encourage you to read Psalm 34 if you want more encourage in
tasting and seeing the goodness of God).
Praying for that you would Love Christ
PASSIONATELY, Know Christ DEEPLY, and Enjoy Christ FULLY!!!
Pastor Stephen
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