God's Gifts

READ: PSALM 136:1-9, 23-26; MATTHEW 6:28-33 Thanks be to God for His innumerable, indescribable gifts. God is wondrous! He continually provides more than enough; He sustains us. He is good. He gives us many gifts: The tools to sustain our material needs. The support of people around us. The blessing of each new day. And, greatest of all, the gift of His Son (John 3:16). He gives us His beautiful creation, a marvelously massive globe to cultivate and enjoy—His Earth—and that is a wonderful gift. He gives us passions and abilities and talents—tremendous gifts we can praise Him with! How humbling. How amazing. Jesus has given up His very life for us—and He has risen from the dead so that we can be with Him forever. In Jesus, we have life, breath, beauty, purpose, and fulfillment. But sometimes we forget God’s great generosity. Often, we can only view the depth of these gifts when we shift our perspective to one of gratitude for all that our God has given us. I have found that when I go out of my way to appreciate the little things—the small gems our Lord places in my path—a fresh gratitude begins to grow in my heart for the bigger things too. It is beautifully flooring to observe each tiny treasure He gives and to see every good thing as a gift from my Father. What a joy it is to know such a faithful God! • Chelsea Leigh • The beginning of today’s devotion is written in the style of a psalm, thanking God for a variety of good gifts. What are some of the things you’re thankful for, in the world and in your own life? • Today is Earth Day! This planet is one of the most amazing gifts God has given us to steward. What is one thing you can do to take care of it today? • If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 1:26-28; Psalms 63:3; 115:16; John 1:14; 10:10; Acts 17:28; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)