GOD WHO GIVES

The anticipation of a gift is pure delight – I think both for the giver and the receiver. The giver thought about, made, or purchased the gift. The receiver opens and enjoys the gift. It’s a win-win.

I have loved all the gifts my family and friends have given me. Through the years I’ve received very meaningful gifts – handmade paintings, songs, jewelry, time, books, and love. I treasure each one. Yes, I’m that kind of person who does not return anything.

Timothy writes that God gives. And He gives to us richly. God owns cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10); He created all things (Colossians 1:160; everything is at His disposal (Colossians 1:16). Nothing is too great for God to give.

The ultimate gift is salvation, which is free to us but cost God, the Father, His Son. It is because of God’s great love, we have this free gift – salvation. Salvation from our sins, forgiveness, and eternal life with Him in heaven, forever. (See John 3:16, John 10:10, 1 John 4:10)

There’s also mercy, grace, adoption, promises, a mansion waiting for us in heaven, the Holy Spirit, His Word, and on and on the list goes. The Bible is full of His gifts. Each time we open His Word we open another gift from our Father.

At times we desperately need the gift we receive; other times we will need it soon. Have you ever had the experience where either you read a promise or someone shares a verse that at the time didn’t quite fit your day – but given a little time it was perfect?

The woman with the issue of blood (see Mark 5:22-43) was healed while Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’s daughter. In the crowded streets, this woman touched Jesus’s garment and was healed from a 12-year bleeding disorder. She was hoping to escape unnoticed, Jesus however, turned and noticed her. She proceeded to testify of her illness and Jesus’s healing touch in her. In the interim, Jairus receives word that his daughter died; at this moment he was needing to be reassured of the truth the woman was sharing – and Jairus was in fact, in the same crowd as the woman who was testifying to Jesus’s healing power. A few moments later Jesus did indeed heal his daughter, just as He set out to do.

Did Jairus’s faith falter or waiver? Did he become discouraged? We are not told, but by reading the account, we can see that Jairus didn’t have time. The gift of healing happened very quickly after hearing this one testimony of healing – God prepared Jairus before he needed it.

God gives all things for us to enjoy -whether it’s a healing, a sunrise, a promise, or His Presence. He knows exactly what we need when we need it. Let us rest in this promise of His goodness. Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father (James 1:17a KJV).

May we receive with open arms the Father’s gifts with all joy and thankfulness.

Father God, You truly are the best giver. I thank You for all things – I ask You to bring these gifts to mind so I may thank You again and be reminded of Your goodness. May today be that day of remembrance. You alone are my favorite gift – I will treasure You always. AMEN