James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

Our earthly affections fluctuate, sometimes daily, going from hot and zealous to lukewarm or even cold as our emotions change. Like the disciples, we can be ready to die for Jesus one day and then be ready to forsake him and run the next. We can tell the Lord we trust him to supply all our needs and yet entertain doubt and fear when our circumstances change.

God’s love for us remains unchanged. His Word says, “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). And in James 1:17: “Every perfect gift . . . comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

When we are in true communion with the Father, we not only receive his love but we love him back. This is mutual affection: both giving and receiving love. The Bible tells us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). He also tells us, “My son, give me your heart” (Proverbs 23:26). His own perfect love demands that we reciprocate, returning to him a love that is total, undivided.

The Lord tells us in no uncertain terms: “You can’t earn my love. The love I give to you is unmerited.” John writes, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). “We love Him because He first loved us” (verse 19).

God reached down into the wilderness of our lives, showed us our lostness, and made us miserable in our sin. He sent us his Word to show us truth, sent his Spirit to convict us, and then came after us himself. Because of this, when we accept him into our lives and stay in communion with him, we can walk in security and stability, never wavering.