James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows"


Have you ever seen a sun dial? This is the picture that comes to mind when reading this text from James. As the sun moves across the sky, the position of the sun reflects a shadow on the dial upon which you can actually tell the time of the day. Before clocks and expensive watches, this method was all the human had to derive the time of the day. So what did James mean by this? We see that God is the father of lights. Some cultures worship the sun but God created the sun. In fact, the Bible attributes all of creation to Him alone. So as James points out, "Every good and perfect gift is from above". Beloved, I don't know what you need today but the One who created the Heavens and the Earth does. His plan is to give you His best! 

There are three things we can get from the last declaration from James in this scripture, "who does not change like shifting shadows." First of all, the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is found in Hebrews 13:8. He still performs miracles like He did 2000 years ago. He is the same healer who healed the sick back then and He can and will heal the sick now. He is the same provider whose word declares in Philippians 4:19 : "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."  His thoughts of you never change. He gave his son for you, and His love for you has never changed. Only your eternal destination has. Focus on that eternal and not your temporal current situation. Whatever your praying for is in His hands. It may not be exactly what you are looking for and if it is not, then you can rest assured that it will be "good and perfect."  The next thing we can derive from this passage is about the limitations of the sun. The sun can only shine on you for a few hours in a day. This means for a few hours a day you can stand before the sun to receive the vitamin d you need for the day. Too much sun can lead to burns. Not enough can lead to a vitamin deficiency.  God is not limited by how many hours are in a day. Even while darkness is cast upon you while you sleep, God is at work on your behalf.  If the sun had eyes, they would only be upon you while the sun is cast above you. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." His eyes are always on His creation. Your steps have already been laid out. So rest easy in knowing this, that just because the sun goes down God is still at work for you, in you and around you.  The last revelation that we can find in this passage is about time. Desperation begins in a believers heart when they measure their circumstance with time. What I mean is,  they feel like God is not answering, healing or moving quick enough for them.  Beloved, God's timing is perfect.  If God does not move when you think He is supposed to then your eyes are on the circumstance and not the miracle maker.  His timing is divine. The doors that God closes only lead to His best open doors.  Trust in Him. Trust in His process and timing.

 I will close with this.  God has a plan for you. A plan for your problem.  His plan for you is far better than what you maybe asking for.  The best is yet to come.

God Bless you!

In Christ Love,

Pastor Michael

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.