Daily Devotions

“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

James in his letter is addressing the concern that some believers had while going through trials, wondering whether God was tempting them. By no means, says James. God is the absolutely holy Creator of all that is good, with no hint of darkness or fickleness. He will always be characterised by his hand of blessing, both with regard to his character and with regard to his relentless desire to give good gifts to his children.

At age 16 Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian’s personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. 

When he finished, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. “My son,” he said, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss—it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play. ‘ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it.”

O God from whom every gift derives,

You are an awesome God,

greater than our comprehension or our imagination.

You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe You.

And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of Your vast love.

We have come to You in thanksgiving and praise,

to know that You are God

and to place our lives anew into Your perspective.

Enlarge our vision this hour with Your Word.

Instil in us, again,

Your hope in place of our despair,

Your peace where our hatred threatens,

Your joy amidst our depression,

Your love overwhelming our apathy.

May Your Holy Spirit surround

and indwell this congregation now,

and forevermore.

In Jesus we pray. Amen.