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.

TO PONDER

This is the last daily devotion for 2024 before we hit the church season of Advent, a time of reflecting and preparing to receive the best gift ever given; God giving himself to us to, offering himself for us, in order to save and redeem us from our own foolish choices.

One of the best things about this gift is that it does not change. It does not wear out over time, or need new batteries every couple of weeks, or fall out of fashion like last years summer collection. God's love is an enduring love. God's grace and mercy is eternal. God's power and might are unfathomable. These things do not change.

In a world that seems to be experiencing significant change in various realms (political, economical, social, etc) a constant can be a really comforting thing.

I remember when I first moved out of home in country Victoria and headed for the big city (Canberra, not Melbourne). One of the you can see from anywhere in Canberra is black mountain and the 'Telstra Tower' at its peak. As I learned from one of my local Canberra friends while trying to find my way around this new city, if the tower was on my left, I was probably headed North, if it was on my right, I was probably headed south, and if I couldn't see it, I was probably closer to either to Goulburn or Gundagai and should probably turn around.

God's faithfulness and consistency is something I have learned to give thanks for regularly. When everything around me is changing and life seems all topsy turvy, It is a wonderful gift to know that my Heavenly Father is always ready and willing to sit with me and listen, to love me even when I know I have stuffed something up. Canberra's Telstra Tower, I know I can pull over for a second, look for God and he will get me on the right path again. That's a comforting thought and one I am very thankful for.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that no matter what my life may look like or what challenges or changes I may be facing, I can have confidence that you will be there. That your love for me and your forgiveness and mercy toward me will never change or fail. Help me to live each day confident in your love and in your promises. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle