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
I do love a good snow! I realize how easy that is for me to say when I don’t have to get out and brave the elements or face the hazards involved.
For the last few days, I have been able to just sit in the comfort of my home and enjoy the beauty of nature as the snowflakes fell, clung to the trees, and blanketed the ground. I considered it a gift and appreciated its beauty. But I also realize it was a gift to many people in another significant way, and I understand it all too well. In our area, a big snow means closings and staying off the roads. I saw numerous postings online and spoke to others on the phone who echoed the same sentiments that I often felt. They needed this time, a rest, a break from the busyness of life. They appreciated the time at home with family and a time to do some things they enjoy or needed to do. They needed to reset, refresh, and revitalize their spirits and bodies with a break from the routine.
But then, in the next few days, the sun will be shining brightly and glistening on the snow, melting it away. This too will be a gift as we prepare to resume the normalcy and busyness of life. Our moods change and shift with time, but thankfully God does not, and we can always depend on Him.
What better day than this Sabbath day to stop and give our God praise for the gift of His goodness to us! For our heavenly Father knows how to give “the good and perfect gift”, and often it is just what we may need at the time.
How much we take for granted the gift of life, His blessings to us, His love, grace, and presence with us, and the beauty of His creation. What beautiful words in this verse and what a comforting promise describing God – the One “who does not change like shifting shadows.”
In His last message to us in the Old Testament through the book of Malachi, until we read about the good news of the Gospel and the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, almost 400 years later, we read in Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord. I do not change.”
We can rest assured that His mercy, grace, compassion, goodness, truth, faithfulness, and love will never end or change in any way. He is our God and what He promises, He has proven time and time again, that He will do.
On this day, and every day, may we be grateful for His goodness to us and for “every good and perfect gift from above”.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we are so grateful that you and your promises never change and that you give us a sure, certain, and living hope in you. May we always keep our eyes focused on you and your truths rather than on our ever changing world. Thank you for your countless and abundant blessings to us and for the gift of life. Amen
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