God's Good Gift ~ A Devotional

The Bible tells us that everything we have are gifts from God.  James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift comes from above.” (NKJV)  Everything comes from the Lord, our health, our financial status, our family, possessions, everything. In fact, every day is a gift because our lives are measured in days and the clock ticks each day off as we get closer to the time we will surely die.

 In the New Testament, we are introduced to Job who is an honest man of God, an innocent man who tried to stay away from evil.  Job was wealthy and happy with his large family. But suddenly he was tested by the devil who reigned death and despair over him in hopes that Job would curse God.  

 As Job sat in an ash pile crying out in his despair, woeful and distressed, friends questioned him relentlessly about his suffering and pain.  They urged him to curse God and die.  Job answered that while he suffered horribly and did not know why he was being treated that way, he also praised the goodness of the Lord. 

 Job did eventually lose his family and everything he had but still he remained faithful to God.  In Job 1:21 it says, “And he said: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (NKJV)

 Job’s story is interesting and it is a favorite among many. The takeaway from his story is that we can own everything we want or need, but we can lose it all, too. God is goodness, truth, and light. But sometimes we can lose everything we have because of one poor action or decision and sometimes it’s not us who has done a bad act, but a family member against us.

 Chapter 23:10-11, Job answers, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” (NKJV) In the end, Job was given a new family and more than he had before.

 This story is a good one for us to read and compare with our own life. Has God gifted you with financial stability, a beautiful family, countless friends and a life to be delighted with?  If we are blessed with God’s gifts of family we want to take care to not squander our days.

 Sometimes families fuss, fight, accuse, and ignore each other, never calling or visiting until it is too late. We use excuses that we are busy with a job and children, but the truth is we are selfish and caught up in the “me” attitude. We take advantage of God’s gifts to us until the day comes and someone dies.

 Our commandment is to love God and others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)

Our gifts are given to us with the intention for us to be grateful, thankful, and content with one another.  Life is short.  Take care of your gifts and thank God for your family.  Sometimes we lose our people through accidents, illness, or unexplained reasons.  Reach out now to your gifts: your parents, your brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, children, grandchildren, and those friends you enjoy spending time with. And tell them, “I love you.”

 Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” (NLT)  And Luke reminds readers that “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NKJV).

 Just as Job lost everything he had been given, we too may lose our gifts. But unlike Job, we may not be as fortunate to get those things or people back! Let’s glorify God by making that phone call or text to those we love, write a letter, or go visit your family (who are your gifts) today. Because all God’s gifts are good! The holidays are coming, spend quality time with those you love, they will LOVE that gift!