Chaos rages.
Or so it seems. Unexpected events batter our days, and it feels like weathering a storm just getting through each moment.
The sun rises and crawls throughout the day, and we seem to trip over the shadows … we never know where they’ll be. They shift like a flag on a windy day.
The gas tank is empty again … our boss expects us to cover someone’s shift … what, Suzie has the mumps?
Can we ever get a break?
The world may tumble us in the dryer of life … slam … slam … bam! But God never does. As the Word says, he is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
James 1:17 (NIV) tells us:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
This verse holds three life-changing truths. Let’s separate them to discuss one at a time.
Life-Changing Truth #1:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above …”
How do we define a good and perfect gift? Good means benevolent. It’s meant for our benefit. It can also suggest the gift might be profitable or useful to us. A perfect gift is one designed to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives.
Life-Changing Truth #2:
“… coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …”
The heavenly lights mentioned here are symbolic of goodness, truth, knowledge, and holiness. God’s nature shines brightly, in contrast to the darkness of the world.
Life-Changing Truth #3:
“… who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Shadows are emblematic of change. They move as we watch them. Throughout the day, they are never in the same place twice. God, in contrast, can be counted on to be right where we need him, no matter the time or the situation in which we search for him.
Will chaos continue to rage? It’s a certainty. Will God be found in the chaos? Always, every time, exactly where he needs to be. We can look for him in the Bible, while on our knees, or in the advice of the saints who’ve navigated the shadows that we traverse each day.
He is a consistent Father. Walk with him and be secure knowing he will care for you.
Copyright © 2025 MyChurchNotes.net