“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Father of Lights

Yesterday I received some terrible news about a family member. It was difficult to take it in, hard to believe. I didn’t want to believe it, but there it was. Deep inside me, I knew it was true.

It bothered me all day, but when I went to bed at night I had a real battle on my hands. I knew I would never sleep if I couldn’t get a handle on my thoughts. I began to worship the Lord, quietly in my heart. My thoughts turned to our Lord, His love, His goodness, His work in my life and that of this family member. I knew He was producing something good in me, perhaps dislodging something hidden in me, perhaps purging dross. I was truly glad and rejoiced that He was doing that work in me.

I fought the battle with praise all night long, whenever I awoke. I never felt fear or hopelessness, for I sensed His presence.

This morning when I awoke very early, I remembered that at 6:00 AM I could view a lunar eclipse. I made a cup of coffee, put on my warmest coat and gloves, turned off the outdoor lights, and went out into our driveway to watch, being careful not to slip on our icy deck and steps.

The moon and stars—those rulers of the night (Psalm 136:9)—were magnificent. The eclipse brought marvel to me, knowing that God had arranged for this to happen occasionally, perhaps just to delight us. But the stars held a deeply-felt significance to my situation. God was telling me that He is vast; indeed, He has no end, and I can trust Him (again) to deal with my loved ones.

I went inside to read the Bible for awhile, but I started with prayer, and began to weep because of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I had battled with worship in the night, and in the morning, joy came. I recognized the gift God had just given me—the beauty, and even more, the awe of those moments. I felt privileged in every way. The Father of lights had let me see His light, and the light of what He was doing, as if a light bulb appeared over my head like it does in the comics—a revelation, so to speak.

As if this wasn’t enough, He sealed the work in me with another Scripture. Revelation 22:16 says, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am… the Bright and Morning Star.”

“Father, my small words of praise do not touch the depth of thankfulness in my heart. You know what we need, and You send gifts to us to remind us You are there, You are watching, You are working. Hallelujah!”