Title: Unfailing Love/Topic: God's Love

Today’s Reading: Judges 4; Judges 5; Psalm 39; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Observation: What a wonderful definition of love! These are some of the very verses that have been used to bolster the idea that God's love for us is unconditional, especially the phrase from verse 5 that states “it (love) keeps no record of wrongs”. But I think that what God is saying is that love cannot be exhausted and it never gives up on someone. No matter how many times a person may sin or offend, love never gets to the place where it says, “That's it. You've done this one too many times and I'll never be taken in by you again. I'm done. My patience is worn out.” No, love always gives another chance, always believes that a permanent change for good has been made by someone who comes in repentance. Love doesn't say that something wrong is okay and doesn't deserve punishment or consequence because love rejoices in the truth. Thank God that love never fails! And thank God that his love IS conditional! Otherwise, evil would gain a foothold because our behavior wouldn't matter.

Application: Because God's love is conditional my behavior matters. I need to strive to live a holy life or there will be negative consequences. Because his love is unfailing, I never have to worry that I have blown it once too often and God will never have an intimate, loving relationship with me again. If I repent, I can be as close to him as I want to be. He is always available to me.

Prayer: Hallelujah! You are so wise and good and loving! Your ways are high above mine and I thank you for showing me this truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.