I Am Loved – 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.”
James 1:17

“All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Psalm 25:10

There are a couple of areas in my life where I feel a need to really focus on the goodness of my God, the steadfast love and faithfulness of my Father. I pray that my reflections serve as a mouthpiece of God speaking truth to your heart, as He is speaking to mine, in whatever it is you’re facing.

I have a bracelet that was my grandmother’s, on which is etched the words “I Am Loved.” When I look at it, I usually apply the words to the love of my family. But looking at it now, I realize how much greater of an impact it would have if I saw it as a reminder of the great love God has for me. The tender love of a Father. The powerful love of a Savior, who bore our iniquities and endured wrath, that many may be accounted righteous and made alive with Him forever. The steadfast love of the sovereign, almighty God, who ordains each of our days and the seasons of our lives, and who will never allow us to be snatched from His hand.

This is the love which surrounds those who belong to God. It is His love and faithfulness that characterize our paths. So whether or not the path our life has taken thus far—or the path that lies before our feet—looks the way we wanted or the way others expected, we can rest in the reality that this is the path our God has chosen. If we are looking to Him and listening for His guidance, He will be faithful to guide us and see us through.

As we allow this concept to sink in, that our God has chosen and ordained this path for us, may we keep our eyes fixed on who He is. He is our Father of lights, in whom there is no darkness. He loves to give good gifts to His children. He knows those who are His, in the most personal and precious way, and He is faithful and true to each one of them. He is unchanging. There will never be a shadow of change in our God, not one moment when He hesitates in His faithfulness and love toward you.

There are so many instances in our lives when we may question why God has let things play out a certain way. Why He has allowed or denied certain details. The whys can trap us. Because in my experience, I don’t really want to know why—what I want is for God to change things. And if I stubbornly cling to that mindset, it only leads me to a sad, bitter state.

But if I will settle my heart, quiet down and let go of whatever it is I’m clinging to, peace begins to break through those walls. In Isaiah 30:15, our Lord says, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Quietness and trust is a choice we have to make. To quiet the questions and the fears and trust in who our God is and what He has said He will do. To no longer allow our minds to dwell on what we might have preferred, or what we’re afraid will happen, and instead give it all over to our God who knows all things and who will sustain and uphold and fill us to overflowing with His steadfast love.

Our God will not fail us. He loves us way too much to let us down. If there is ever a doubt as to the greatness of His love, may our eyes be drawn back to the cross. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6, 8).

“Remember my afflictions and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
Lamentations 3:19-24

“You keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3

“And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10