Daily Devotional

Today we live in a world that is constantly changing.  Lynette’s grandfather would say, “Travel in my lifetime has gone from horse and buggy to cars, to airplanes, to landing a man on the moon.”  Having been born in the late 1800’s he had seen tremendous change in his lifetime.  With all the changes we see going on around us today, I am glad that we have a God who never changes.  As I contemplate what that means in my life, I realize that I am so thankful that I have a God who is consistently the same day after day.  The fact that God is always truthful gives me a sure foundation when I live in a world that presents falsehood as truth and feels that if it is said enough times, I will eventually believe the lie.  Truth is found in God and in His Word.  The fact that God is always good, just, and fair gives me hope for today and for the future.
 
The Apostle James writes in this verse that there is “no variation” in God’s character.  He is telling us that, “God never changes nor is capable of changing.”   Because of His nature, He consistently gives what is good all the time in every life situation.  The theological term is that God is immutable, which means He does not change.  Other scriptures speak of this truth:  

Malachi 3:6 - “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Hebrews 13:8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

I am so thankful today that I can trust God always to be the same.  Even when I do not understand what is happening in my life or why it is happening, I can trust in God’s consistency.  He always treats me the same and I can count on Him doing what He says He will do.  

James goes on to say that there is in God “no shifting shadow.”  The sun and stars vary for a variety of reasons.  We often say that the sun is very bright today or that the stars seem so close tonight.  We are saying there is a change in how we perceive the sun and stars.  “No shadow of turning” alludes to change and variation.  God does not change or vary in His nature.  He is completely consistent and there is never an occasion when He will act outside of His true character.  In other words, in all history or even all eternity past or future, God has never changed nor will He in the future make a single change in His character.  

Shadows change with the moving of the earth in relationship to the sun.  The first-century readers of this letter from James would have been familiar with the sundial and the moving of shadows.  The shadows change as the earth turns on its axis in relationship to the sun.  Shadows are not consistent; they are constantly changing.  God does not shift or change as shadows do.  He is consistently the same.

Principle:  Since God does not change, we can always count on Him to be consistent with Who He claims to be.  He is good so He will always be good.  He will always give what is right and beneficial.

Application:  We can count on God in every situation in our lives because He does not change nor ever will.  He will always be true to His character as revealed in Scripture.

There are four facts about God’s goodness…

• God gives only good gifts
• The way God gives is good
• God gives constantly
• God does not change

Two practical applications:
Coming to know God as revealed in Scripture is essential to your spiritual well-being.

• Not as you may conceive Him to be…

Growing in our understanding of God is very important as we face the trials and testing of life.  We may draw conclusions as to Who God is that is not based on Scripture.  These conclusions may lead us astray and far from the truth of who God really is.  These deceptions can be very destructive.

• But as He is revealed in the Bible…

We must always trust the revealed truth of Scripture when we think of God’s work in our lives.  Circumstances must be understood in light of who God is as presented in Scripture.  Circumstances may appear to be different than what they really are.  They must always be interpreted in light of who God is as we clearly see what the Scriptures teach about Him.  We often do not see or understand the big picture.  When we cannot see clearly, we need to completely trust God and His character.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that You are totally dependable and that I can trust You to always be the same.  Help me Lord to trust Your character and to know that You always have my best interest in mind.  Regardless of my circumstances may I trust You completely.  Amen

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