Love Always Protects
1 Corinthians 13 is the definitive guide to love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Always Love
Do you trust the lights to come on when you flip a switch? Do you trust the car to start when you turn the key or press a button? Do you always trust the love given to you by a friend, your spouse or family member? Just as importantly, can others–a friend, a spouse, a family member–trust your love when you give it to them? 1 Corinthians 13:7 reminds us that “love always trusts.” It seems difficult, almost impossible to do but if we are to live as Christ lived, then our love must always trust and be trusted.
Always Hopes
When the world was filled with evil, “God liked what He saw in Noah.” (Genesis 6:8 MSG) Noah’s obedience was impressive as he started on a 70 year building project. His faith would be remembered throughout the generations. But imagine his hope. Year after year, as he worked on the ark, he must have hoped his efforts would be enough to save his family. When the rains fell and he witnessed unthinkable devastation, Noah must have hoped for better days. “Then God turned His attention to Noah.” (Genesis 8:1 MSG) The water started to recede and hope became sight.
Always Perseveres
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13: 6-7 NIV) That deep description of love Paul provides ends with the characteristic of perseverance, a message that love will last no matter what. The dictionary tells us persevere is to persist despite counter influences, opposition or discouragement. Comfort comes from knowing something will last, stand the test of time and the test of resistance. We may face painful trials, but love will be with us always.
Love Never Fails
The dictionary defines the word quit as to stop, cease, depart from, let go or relinquish—a definitive and final action. The book of Ruth tells us about Naomi, who in the midst of hardship, decided to return to her original home in Bethlehem after her husband died. Naomi urged her two daughters-in-law to return to their own families. One of them, Ruth, refused to be separated from Naomi and said, “Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay.” God pledges the same to us every day. He won’t stop loving us or depart from us or let go of us.
A Dad’s Love
On Father’s Day, there is a deep stirring of emotions depending on the relationship one has with one’s earthly father. Some have anticipated this celebration for weeks while some will do whatever it takes to forget this day is even recognized. Whether your dad is with you today or far away or is your friend or a stranger, please remember we have our Heavenly Father who will never leave us and will always love us unconditionally. Whether you woke up this morning with fond memories of a dad or thought of it as an ordinary day, your Heavenly Father is there to offer love, peace, comfort and joy!