The Good Gifts God Gives

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” Ephesians 4:7-8

At the very end of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Aslan, the amazing lion king who in Lewis’ writings represents God, gives good gifts to his friends. When the four siblings, Peter, Susan, Lucy and even the recently restored Edmund, all attend a crowning ceremony where Aslan himself brings them gifts — he crowns them and names them co-kings and queens of Narnia. It’s an amazing scene, especially after all they have been through! And this legacy was a gift added on top of the previous gifts they had received in the story—the sword and bow and horn and dagger all used for battle when they served behind their great Aslan. Now, they receive and rest in the gifts of the inheritance he provides.

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers by quoting Psalm 68 that it is our good King, God Himself, who provides good gifts to his people. After Jesus himself wins our battles for us against sin and all the bad things the world has to offer, we are reminded that he is the good King who “gives gifts to his people.”

What are the gifts we receive as God’s people? In reality, they are infinite! To name a few, He gives the gift of our salvation, the gift of every day grace and mercy and love, the gifts of joy and peace and contentment. He gives the gift of his Word for our journey, His Spirit for our comfort and His People for our encouragement and growth. Ultimately, God gives us the forever gift of eternal life with God in his kingdom, through His Son.

Just as Aslan crowns the four siblings as kings and queens of Narnia, through God’s grace, we are named as heirs and co-heirs with Christ in his forever Kingdom! Thank you God for giving gifts to your people!