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James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(NIV)
Two things that I want to point out about this verse.

The first is that all good things come from God. He is the source of good. As the Psalmist says, "Thou art good, Thou doest good." And this thought of God is essential to hold on to in those moments when things aren't good. Instead of blaming God, we need to see that He is using those things to build us up as humans.

I would love to continue these thoughts on the goodness of God. Sometimes we don't acknowledge it enough, and when we do, we speak of it in a surreal sort of way. Almost as if God's goodness isn't the same as the real word goodness. The only other time that God's goodness comes up is when we are blessed in some big way or when we see God's hand of protection. These are most definitely good, and from the Father of the heavenly lights, but we let our praises trail off when something goes sour. This is why we need to go right to the second thing.

This next thing that I would like to point out is that God does not change. The same God how protected you in that car wreck is the same God who allowed your Grandma to die. I am not trivializing anything, and I am most definitely not trying to be silly. It is the same good God! He doesn't change.

Just know that when life throws you those curve balls, God has seen it... allowed it... and maybe even wept as Jesus did over Lazarus, but all of these things He Will Work For Good!

Praise be to the Good God!
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