James 1:16-18 “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”
Having previously reminded us that God tempts no man with evil, we are exhorted to guard our minds against lies. The liar would not only have us believe wrong things about God but would also keep us from knowing good things about our Heavenly Father. In that vain, James reminds us that God is not just void of evil, our matchless Lord is entirely perfect. Furthermore, God is not only all good but all good comes from God. Think on that… every good thing that exists originated in God.
Our text reminds us that the majestic heavenly lights that grant energy and sustain life on our planet come from God. He goes on to note that the One who spoke the heavens into existence granted us the very Word of God. Having made God knowable through the Word, He then makes the connection that all who believe in Him are afforded new birth and a special place amongst His creation. Indeed, we who were far off are adopted as children of God by the goodness of Heaven. Now that is good news!
Father God, thank you that unlike human attempts at goodness, your faithfulness and goodness are unwavering. Thank you that you are unchanging and the shadow that your good form casts never varies, no matter the light of day. You indeed are All Good.
- Micah McElveen