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 NIV
Do you desire a good gift, one that lasts forever without any sorrow attached? Remember, every good and perfect gift is from God. He is the ultimate source of all blessings and goodness in life. The term “gift” refers to the blessings and positive provisions that come from God. These gifts can be both tangible and intangible, encompassing a wide range of benefits that contribute to believers’ well-being and spiritual growth. Gifts are often things we receive without struggle, given freely and willingly.
Meanwhile, the greatest gift from God is His grace, manifested through the salvation available in Jesus Christ. This gift is the foundation of Christian faith and hope. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasises that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human effort but granted through faith in Jesus Christ.
Consider the life of David. God chose him to be king of Israel, even though he was the youngest son of Jesse and his family overlooked him. In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, when the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, God directed him to David, who was tending sheep. Despite his humble beginnings, David became the king as God wanted, a gift that no one considered him fit to receive.
Likewise, if God has blessed you with a good and perfect gift, can you humble yourself and acknowledge God as the giver of all? According to John 3:27, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” Think of the good job, peace of mind, spiritual gifts, and everything you have received; they are all from God.
Furthermore, God’s gifts are everlasting, unlike shifting shadows that change with time and light. God does not change. He is constant and reliable. This assurance contrasts the permanence of God’s goodness with the impermanence and variability found in the world. Can you trust God with that gift you desire? God’s care and constancy do not waver like shifting shadows.
As Matthew 7:11 says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Jesus teaches that God, as a loving Father, is even more willing to give good gifts to His children than earthly parents are to theirs. Can you ask Him for that good gift you desire? Finally, think of any good and perfect gift you have received and thank God for it.
In conclusion, every good and perfect gift comes from God. Recognise Him as the ultimate source of all blessings. Trust in His unchanging nature and His willingness to provide for you. Remember to express gratitude for the gifts you have received, acknowledging His grace and goodness in your life.
