James 1:16–18
Have you ever blamed someone for something and then realized the problem was you? Maybe you accused your spouse of moving your keys, only to find them in your pocket. Maybe you searched for your reading glasses while they were sitting on your face. Maybe you declared that your phone charger was broken before noticing it was not plugged in.
Technology gets blamed for a lot of things it did not do. So do spouses. James understands how quickly we assign blame. He also knows we can do the same thing with God. After talking about temptation, James writes, “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters” (James 1:16, NLT).
Do not get confused about where temptation comes from. God is not trying to trip you up. He is not hiding behind a bush with a clipboard, waiting to record your next bad decision. He is not placing spiritual banana peels along your path and whispering, “Let’s see how this goes.”
James makes it clear that God is the source of what is good. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17, NLT).
Think about the good things in your life. A meaningful conversation. A meal with people you love. An answered prayer. A second chance. A quiet morning. A laugh that made you cry. The unexpected discovery of leftover pie. Every good gift points back to a generous Father.
James also says God never changes. That matters because almost everything else does. Schedules change. Moods change. Plans change. Gas prices change while you are choosing a pump. The weather forecast changes three times before lunch and still manages to be wrong.
God does not change. His character is steady. His goodness is constant. His love is dependable.
The greatest proof of His goodness is Jesus. God did not leave us trapped in sin. He sent His Son to rescue us, forgive us and give us new life.
When life feels confusing, do not let a hard day convince you that God has stopped being good. Do not build your theology around one terrible Tuesday. The Father who gave you Jesus has not forgotten you. He is still faithful, even when life feels like somebody unplugged the charger.