LOVE NEVER FAILS

My prayer today is that God will open my eyes and yours to His powerful and amazing love, which is evident all around us. “Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end).” (1 Corinthians 13:8, Amplified Version)

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

The Power of Love

I read a story recently about two sisters who returned to their childhood home after many years, trying to recapture memories of their happy childhood. They asked the new owners if they might walk through the house for old-time’s sake.

They shared stories with the new owners about their mother, who had shown love to so many people, counseling them and feeding them and inviting those in dire need to stay. The owners were shaken by the sisters’ story. The wife explained that when they bought the house, she had been addicted to drugs. As her addiction took its toll on her marriage and family, she decided one day to kill herself and her little girl. Suddenly an unseen force filled the room with love so strong that it pulled her away from her thoughts of destruction. Love changed her life and that of her family.

Can love make itself known across the boundaries of time and place? When the Old Testament prophet Elisha died of natural causes, God caused a supernatural event to occur from it. A marauding band of men, facing another enemy, quickly buried a man in Elisha’s tomb. “When the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:21)

God demonstrated His power through Elijah’s bones to give life to the dead man, perhaps to offer him a second chance to learn about God’s love—just as He gave the despondent woman addicted to drugs  a second chance of life.

God is patient in His desire to restore us. His Word is filled with stories about imperfect, hopeless, undeserving people whom He redeemed from disaster and death to life victorious. The Israelites continually turned their backs on God, yet He kept luring them back with His love when they repented of their sin. King David committed adultery and plotted the murder of an innocent man, yet when he repented God relented. Jesus, on the cross, gave a thief the promise of eternal life as he hung beside Him, repentant of his sin.

The love of God is the most powerful force in the world, transcending space and time. Paul writes that though we might have the Holy Spirit’s gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, good works, even faith—they are of no profit without love. He continues in 1 Corinthians 13, called the Love Chapter, by listing all the characteristics of love. It’s worth reading every day.

Thank You, Lord, for Your supernatural love that offers us second chances. In Jesus’ name, amen.