“A good & generous Father”
When I’m giving a marriage address I usually make the point - “find a time in your day to pray together.” I want the new couple to establish what hopefully, will be a life-long spiritual practice in their marriage. It’s a habit that Helen and I have managed to cultivate and keep going over the years. …When is our time? It’s normally last thing before we go to sleep. …And our prayer is very simple - we begin by giving God thanks for the blessings in our lives, before bringing family and church to Him.
That’s where James points us to in verses 16 & 17 of chapter 1 - the source of all blessings. He writes:
James 1:16-17 [16] …my dear brothers and sisters. [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.
James writes to underline the goodness of God. …“Only good comes down from Him,” he says. “What He gives us,” he tells us, “is good and perfect.” …And night by night as we look back over our day, the week we’re having, even the life we’ve led, we can wholeheartedly agree. God has been good to us. It’s not always been easy, but we can see and acknowledge God’s good and perfect gifts over the course of our lives. As the hymn says - “all we have needed His hand has provided.”
Why not as part of your worship take a moment to thank God for His gifts of goodness to you. …For your measure of health, for the people in your life, for food in your fridge, the pension you receive, the job you work at. …There are so many things we can thank our Heavenly Father for. …Most of all reflect on Jesus - God’s greatest gift, bringing eternal life. …As you do why not listen to this version of “Great is thy faithfulness” by clicking on here.
Heavenly Father I take this moment in my day to thank you for all that you’ve done, for all that you’ve provided, for all that you’ve brought me through. You are a good and loving God. I thank you for sending the greatest of all gifts in your Son - Jesus Christ. Amen.