Our Gift-Giving Father

James emphasizes God's sovereignty and good purpose and in these verses, His generosity. God is the gift-giver par excellence! The greatest gift of all, and supreme blessing, is Jesus Christ. When James mentions in verse 17 that God is the “father of lights” he is alluding to creation and the fact that God is light.
Even though He gives good gifts, from Adam and Eve to Job there are Biblical examples of “waves of doubt” about His gifts.