Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 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. ~James 1:16,17
As James writes about trials, sufferings, temptation leading to sin and death, there is a danger the reader may ascribe evil to God’s nature. James corrects this wrong thinking by earlier reminding his readers that temptation to sin comes from our own lustful hearts. He then goes on to point out that God is only good and from Him comes every good and perfect gift. As Pastor pointed out last Sunday “God is gracious and His gifts are good.”
The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. ~Psalm 103:8
While it is true that people question God’s goodness when trials come their way, the reality is God’s goodness never wavers or falters. In fact, God’s goodness never changes according to James because God Himself never changes. There are innumerable ways in which God expresses His goodness to us. In the 103 Psalm, King David expresses a few, but important ways God’s goodness gives us reason to praise and bless Him! Pastor listed for us seven in his message and we would do well to meditate on them and bless the Lord for them. They are the gift of:
- Common Grace
- Jesus Christ
- Faith
- Eternal Life
- The Holy Spirit
- Spiritual Abilities
- Confident Assurance
The danger for us as Christians is, we have received so many blessings and gifts from God that we may begin taking them for granted. Our lives are filled and overflowing with good and perfect gifts so much so that they may become commonplace to us and we soon expect them rather than seeing them for what they are. Let us join with David as he commands his own soul to remember the good and perfect gifts from God and praise Him for them!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ~Psalm 103:1,2