Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:17-18

If I can only climb high enough on the rocks, I can bask in the warmth of the sunlight.

The sun is moving. Better climb a little higher. There!

The higher I get, the warmer and brighter the light. Mmmm. That feels good!

Ever feel like Mr. Gecko in your relationship with God?

I scramble through challenges to get to a higher level in my relationship with God, and I’m basking in His warmth, then He moves, or maybe I move, and I have to climb to a higher location.

That’s how God led the Israelites through the desert. He covered them from the heat in the day with a cloud and warmed them at night with a pillar of fire. When the cloud moved, it was time for the Israelites to pack up camp and move. All the while, God provided the perfect food for them, mana, a honey-like wafer, the perfect gift for them and a symbol of the Firstfruit to come, Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Matthew Henry writes:

The end and design of God’s giving renewing grace is here laid down: That we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures-that we should be God’s portion and treasure, and a more peculiar property to him, as the first-fruits were; and that we should become holy to the Lord, as the first-fruits were consecrated to him. Christ is the first-fruits of Christians, Christians are the first-fruits of creatures.

Mr. Gecko had a lot to say to me that day. He climbed the steep rocks, reached the light, and rested in its warmth, until the sun moved, and it was time to climb again.

Physical effort and rest.

Physical effort and restful waiting for the Son’s guidance.

My prayer

Father of lights, thank You for the lessons You have placed in nature and in Your Word. They are sweet glimpses into heaven. Bless Your children with every good thing that You have given and every perfect gift that we should be a kind of firstfruits that point others to Jesus. We love You, Lord, and want to bask in Your Son’s Light.

Share how you bask in the Son’s Light