Read James 1:12–18
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
It is impossible for God to change. He cannot change for the worse
because He is holy; He cannot change for the better because He is
perfect. If shadows come between the Father and us, He did not cause
them. We should never question His love or doubt His goodness
when difficulties come or temptations appear.
The first barrier against temptation is a negative one: the judgment of God. The second barrier is positive: the goodness of God. A
fear of God is a healthy attitude, but the love of God must balance it.
We can obey Him because He may chasten us; or we can obey Him
because He has already been so generous to us and because we love
Him for it.
The next time you are tempted, meditate on the goodness of God
in your life. If you think you need something, wait for the Lord to
provide it. Never toy with the Devil’s bait. One reason God allows
us to be tempted is to teach us patience. David was tempted twice to
kill King Saul and hasten his own coronation (1 Sam. 24; 26), but he
resisted the temptation and waited for God’s timing.
Something to Ponder
What are some things that occasionally get between you and God and
tend to form “shadows”?