In James 1:13-18 we read of a contrast between good and evil, or between our own evil desires and what God gives us from heaven. We could say that man is naturally sinful and prone to do wrong, and God is always good—and all He gives us from heaven is good. Here are seven good things that God gives us (or has given us) from heaven.

Light (Genesis 1:3-4). From the first day of creation God gave us (from heaven) the wonderful gift of light from which we perpetually receive such great blessings (see pages 20-23 above).

Manna (John 6:30-34). In this passage a crowd of people around Jesus were asking Him to shows them a miraculous sign so that they could believe in Him.

So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.'” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.  33 “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”  34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

Jesus the Living Bread (John 6:35, 47-51). Here, in the same conversation (as above), Jesus abruptly changes the dialogue from talking about manna to living bread—Himself. He is the living bread that gives life. Hence here Jesus provides the real miracle of eternal life—if they would believe in Him.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst… 

47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.  48 “I am the bread of life.  49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  50 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

Our Daily bread (Matthew 6:11). In Matthew 6:9 through 13, Jesus instructs His disciples on how to pray. And in all that He taught them about it they were to first of all, as a preface, say to God, “Our Father who is in heaven…” Hence, they were to realize that God, the giver of all they ask for, dwells in heaven. And each day they could be sure that He would provide for them what they needed for nourishment—if they prayed the third request: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Food for the hungry (Matthew 14:19). When Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, He made it clear that the miracle would come from heaven. Hence, after He ordered the people to sit down on the grass, He took the loaves and fish and looked up toward heaven as He blessed it and gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds. Yes, all the bread and fish that were multiplied came directly from heaven from the Father.

Food for God’s servant Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6). Here is the most wonderful miracle. God provided for Elijah by His command from heaven to the ravens.

The word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 “It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.

Provision for those who seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19). Here are two special promises to those who seek Him first and for those who do His will. They will be supplied by our heavenly Father for all we need.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.