A Moment With Pastor Fred

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, Ja 1:17. The Bible says God is infinitely and lavishly generous. But my sinful tendency is to think he’s not good but mean. And I am not alone. Tragically this is our default screen.

James tells us what we must do to counter this evil tendency. The Father of lights is ancient Jewish title referencing God as the Creator. Remember after the creation of the sun and stars the text says, And God saw that it was good.  Whatever my circumstances I’m not a victim of fate. I’m cared for by a sovereign God. No, I cannot harmonize this truth with my personal experiences, so I accept it by faith. Regardless of my situation – God is at work behind the scenes. James continues, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. The sun moves across the sky casting shadows, but God remains constant. He is dependable. The heavens might be a swirl of motion, but God is immutable. God is always good to us – and his commitment to us, even in times of heartache never falters. A farmer was showing Charles Spurgeon his barn when Spurgeon noticed the weathervane: God is Love. Spurgeon asked, Are you saying God’s love is as fickle as the wind? The farmer said, “No, I’m saying his love is constant regardless of how the wind might blow.”  

We must affirm the truth that God is good. Faith re-interprets circumstances considering God’s truth. We live in unsettling days. But in our ever-changing culture there’s someone who remains unchanged. Heb 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. And he remains our great and good God. Taste and see that the Lord is good, Ps 34:8.