7.The Lord is my shepherd....

‘Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…’ (James 1:17).
 
Yesterday, I spoke about the consolation available to us by remembering to look up; seeking solace from our heavenly Father above. But what is it that he gives to comfort us, and how does he deliver it? The answer is found in this well-known and loved wisdom from Jesus: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14).
 
From the moment children are born, they learn to depend on their father’s house as the place from which every need will be met. Food, shelter, clothing, warmth, protection, tenderness and sympathy during times of sickness, and, most importantly, love and empathy when storm clouds of sorrow threaten to overwhelm their little lives. These are the priceless gems that our little ones instinctively seek from their father’s house.
 
Likewise, we older “little ones” should constantly turn to our Father’s house for these same invaluable blessings. Our heavenly Father is infinitely more willing and able to supply our every need, to heal our sicknesses, lighten our burdens, and soothe our sorrows than any earthly father. Jesus says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).
 
James emphasises the absolute dependability of God when he says, ‘Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change’ (James 1:17). In other words, God can be trusted regardless what our situation in life may be.
 
Beloved Saints, I want you to remember this: Through Christ we are God’s children. You’ve heard that often enough, but life has a way of beating us down sometimes to the point where we feel like God’s orphans. God is our living Father, with abundant gifts for all his children. ‘He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?’ (Romans 8:32).
 
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall be sufficiently supplied.
 
With love,
Pastor Greg
Wednesday 15th April 2020.