WEEK 1 - THE HOLINESS OF GOD
Our focus during this first week is on the Person of God and His attributes. Our Triune God is perfect in holiness and in all of His other attributes. As we see Him for who He is, see Him in the fullness of His glory, may we be drawn to a posture of worship before Him. He is perfectly worthy!
DAY SIX - THE UNCHANGEABLENESS OF GOD BY JEN ASHBY
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (Js. 1:17).
At the end of the high ropes course at a camp I was attending, the final task was to leap from a platform about 30’ high and grab a swinging trapeze bar with both hands. When I jumped, I made contact with the bar but didn’t get a grip. I felt the safety harness jerk and was suddenly upside down, feet in the air, slowly swaying and twisting. To say I was disoriented would be an understatement, and I had no idea how to right myself or this situation. The young camp staffer on the platform called down to me, “Ma’am, put your feet down.” I did so and was instantly flipped upright before being lowered to the ground. Soon my feet were on solid ground again.
Change is constantly coming our way. Earlier in this passage, James says that just as the blossom withers, worldly riches fade (verse 11). He mentions the heavenly lights, sun, and moon, whose shadows are constantly shifting (verse. 17). Sometimes change, especially if unexpected or unwanted, feels like a jerk on the safety harness, leaving us upside down, feet in the air, and disoriented. This passage is a call to “put your feet down” on the One who does not change. He is the Father, Creator of the heavenly lights, and He does not change. He is immutable. Nothing jerks Him upside down, and when we are, we can “put our feet down” and find ourselves standing on solid ground again. We do this by continually placing our faith in the truth of who God is, confident in His consistent, unchanging character and promises.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Acknowledge to God any ways that change or other circumstances have left you feeling disoriented.
2. Ask God to show you if you’ve been looking for stability or security in anything other than Him.
3. “Put your feet down” by praising and thanking God for being the solid ground that does not change.