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March 24 (Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7. Charles Spurgeon calls these four virtues love’s four sweet companions. They describe how we, in love, are to deal with situations around us. If we have love, the agape love of God, we will find that we have a new tolerance to bear the behavior, or misbehavior, of others. We will ‘hang tough’ through very difficult situations with them. We will not be impatient for quick results. When there is opportunity to doubt someone, we will find cause to give the benefit of the doubt. We will tend to believe what they say, at least until there is clear evidence to the contrary. We will hope for the best in them, realizing that it will take time and effort for them to come around to God’s viewpoint. And we will have the sustaining power of Christ to endure beyond what the world would consider adequate. I cannot help but realize that God has done the same for me. He must bear many things as He deals with my inconsistent walk with Jesus. He must believe in me, for He knows the final outcome of my journey into eternity with His Son. And He always hopes for the best—for my best performance. He is the ultimate in endurance. The cross testifies to this beyond measure. Thank You Father for the gift of love. It flows from Your being—in fact You are love. You have equipped us with the most powerful attribute of Yourself. We owe all praise to You for doing this. Let me walk through life this day in expressions of Your love. Thank You and Amen. |
