Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NKJV)
Love endures all things. Love won’t quit on people when things go wrong and times are hard. Love remains. Love abides. Love perseveres.
I’m so encouraged by the thought that God perseveres in His love for us. Perseverance takes hard work and commitment. I don’t persevere in things that aren’t important to me. Keeping my house in order is a great example of this. I know I should have everything in its place, but I let things get out of order until I just can’t stand the clutter. By then, it takes several hours to get things back under control. How much easier it would be if I just handled things before they get so big!
Perseverance is hard work even when I know the importance and value of things. Sometimes, life seems just so busy and hectic that I just want to stop for a while and do nothing. But that’s not what my Father wants for me. That’s not what Jesus did for me. Jesus persevered to the end of His life. Jesus persevered and endured death on the cross. Jesus is God, God is love, and love endures all things.
Life can be so hard, but I need to hold on and keep going, enduring all things. God’s promised good things to those who endure in faith, no matter what trials and temptations come their way.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ... Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:3, 10 NKJV)
Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 NKJV)
Whatever hard situations we face today will seem like nothing when we see our loving Father in heaven. So, hang on tight to His love; you can endure all things with Him.
Think About: How has God's love endured all things for you?
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