Every good gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.
James says every good thing in your life has a return address. The Father of lights doesn't change.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Every' good gift — no exceptions, no random good in your life.
- 02'Father of lights' = creator of the sun, moon, stars — the source of every light.
- 03'No variation or shadow due to change' — he doesn't have moods or eclipses.
- 04Gratitude makes more sense when you know where the gifts come from.
Read along.
James 1:17 — '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.'
'Every.' That's the word that should slow you down. Every good thing in your life has the same source.
'Father of lights' is James's way of pointing to creation. The same God who made the sun and stars is the giver of the small, ordinary good in your day.
And here's the bonus: 'no variation or shadow due to change.' Shadows shift because the light moves. James says God's light doesn't move. He doesn't have bad days. He doesn't go dim.
Look at your week. Make a list. Every good thing — it came from somewhere. That somewhere is a Father who hasn't changed.