He Never Changes

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

James 1:17

James is one of, if not my favorite book in the New Testament, and perhaps in the whole Bible.  This comes to no surprise because it is often referred to as the 'Proverbs of the New Testament', and no surprise, Proverbs in my favorite Old Testament book!  The reason I can connect so well with these books is because of the wisdom and practicality provided through God's inspired word.  James was the brother of Jesus who, at first, didn't believe his brother was the Son of God.  The Lord worked in James' heart and he eventually came to believe in Christ, and ultimately, he became one of the pillars of the early church.  Just to consider the personal testimony of James is an incredible thing to do, and it is an amazing testament to how God can change the heart of man.  In this beginning chapter, James is writing to believers that are scattered around the world.  More than likely, these Christians are being persecuted or are living in fear of persecution for their faith, but nonetheless, the intended audience for the book are people that are facing major difficulties in life.  These trials are ground shaking, life changing, and heart breaking in nature.  This is why James exhorts and encourages these believers to perseverance, because the one who perseveres under trials, not only is being matured and made perfect in God, but this person, when they withstand the test of the trial, is crowned with the crown of life (1:2, 1:12).  And just after he calls the person that is suffering under tremendous difficulty to persevere, he gives us the beautiful reminder above.  That every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.  So often, when we are in the thick of the challenge, we can become cold-hearted, not only towards God or fellow man, but towards everything.  We can begin to forget all the good and perfect gifts that have been given to us through God.  In the Greek, these gifts are not only good and pure in nature, but they are perfect, meaning they lack nothing.  And they emotion behind these types of gifts in the original language is benevolence.  So as we are going through the fiery trials of life, persevering and withstanding the test, we need to realize the benevolence of the Lord, the good, kind, and giving nature of God.  We need to remember that although in the midst of the trial everything feels like, and likely is, constantly shifting and changing, that we serve of God of no variance.  He NEVER shifts or changes, like the shadows do, but rather He constantly remains faithful, loving, and benevolent.  In the eye of the storm it can seem as though we are all alone, that everything is failing, and that our lives have become so dark.  But the truth is that Christ is with us always, He will never leave us or forsake us, even when everything in life seems ever changing, shifting, and out of control.  And every complete, perfect, and benevolent gift comes from Him.  Today, call on the Lord to supply you with the perseverance you need.  Know that whatever fiery trial you are going through, that God is trying to perfect your faith through it, and trying to make you a more mature Christian.  And lean on the gratitude, and the truth, that every good and perfect gift is from Him.  Recognize today, that God loves you, wants to give you good things, and wants you to lean on Him during the difficulty you are facing.  I love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!