Father of Lights

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no shadow or variation due to change."
James 1:17

This is another one of my all time favorite verses. I believe it sums up the nature of God so perfectly and precisely. What is your idea of God, really? If you are nakedly honest before God how do you see him? Do you see him as a good and perfect gift giver, or more of a negative and mad ruler?

Trials and difficult circumstances can often reveal things in our heart about what we think about God. "Where was God when my wife died?", or "why did He allow my son to suffer so much?" why does God feel so distant sometimes when we go through difficulty? Wasn't it Jesus Himself that said, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" In His most difficult and trying moments of His earthly life He felt abandoned and betrayed by His father. Was He abandoned and betrayed by Abba Father? Certainly not. The circumstances could lead one to think that, but the truth always outweighs the circumstances in the moment, no matter how difficult or trying. It was exactly the opposite, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Jesus would not die but have everlasting life. Amazing indeed. It was because of love for all humanity that Christ went to the cross and died, the Father knew exactly what He was doing.

The God we worship is indeed the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or changing. He is not like us, we are fickle in every way. Up and down emotionally. God is constant in love and truth and power. He is a giver of good gifts, He loves you dearly today. Do not forget or neglect this truth. Whatever trial you are facing remember that God is there with you to face whatever darkness you are facing. He does not promise to rescue us from every trial and tribulation, but does promise to be with us and strengthen us to get through them.