“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)
I grew up in the small West Texas town of Sweetwater where there are approximately 249 days of sunshine each year, and about 24 inches of rainfall. Needless to say, my early days were quite literally and figuratively filled with clear blue skies and sunshine. Many years later though, as an adult, the Lord moved our family to the Gulf Coast of Texas, where during our first year we experienced over 100 inches of rainfall! There were times when I thought we had fallen off the end of the earth where the sun didn’t shine. We would go for days at a time without sunshine and it was dark, dreary, and depressing. Southeast Texas definitely has its “variableness” of sunshine and clouds, often times affecting one’s mood and sense of motivation.
While variable days of sunshine and clouds may dot our physical landscape, James 1:17 speaks to us about “the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” GOD is the source of ALL light. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded of this truth. I John 1:5 tells us, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” In I Timothy 6:16, we are further reminded that God alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable Light, whom no one has seen or can see. Therefore, when dark, ominous, foreboding clouds are looming on our horizon, we must lay hold to the truth that God alone is the Source of our Light. We do not have to live in darkness and shadows.
James 1:17 is a verse that contrasts God with the sun, and there is a strong resemblance, but there are also noticeable differences. The sun does not shine on all parts of the earth at the same time, nor in the same manner all year. It rises and sets, descends to the south, ascends to the north, and brings about changes of season and climate.
My Personal Musings From God’s Word:
Not so with our God, the Father of heavenly light. With Him there is no “variableness,” not even the appearance of turning. He is always the same, at all seasons of the year, and in all ages and stages of life. There is no change in His character, no change in His being, no change in His purposes and plans. What He was a million ages ago, He is today, and He will be going forth in the ages to come. Let us rest assured that whatever changes there may be in our human circumstances; whatever reversals we may experience; whatever mountains we may climb; whatever valleys we may traverse; whatever place we may lay our head; our GOD IS THE SAME! With Him, there is no shadow. It is as if the sun stood still in the meridian at noon-day and never cast a shadow.
So, Dear Child of God, take heart; whether the sun is shining brightly upon you, or the dark clouds are hovering over you, the Father of Light is shining on you. May He also shine in you.
