“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV
“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”
1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
There’s so much in this passage of love.
I love the translations above. It helps to form a picture that love protects others no matter what they have done or not done and never gives up on them.
Love.
Love was demonstrated over 3 days.
Love was victorious over those 3 days.
Love became the foundation for every follower of Jesus in those 3 days.
Protect, bear with and never give up on anyone because Christ is with you and working through you.
The light of the world was entombed in darkness.
God allowed man to do his worst. Nothing is blacker than a grave or more permanent than a tomb.
But remember who was behind the stone, LOVE.
You may know the 1st day of pain.
You may know a 2nd day of nothing.
But we are people of LOVE.
We are people of the 3rd day.
We are people of tomorrow!
It will be better at dawn.
On the 3rd day God substituted Abraham’s son Isaac for a ram and rewarded his obedience.
On the 3rd day Moses was called to Mt Sinai to receive the commandments.
On the 3rd day God promised Hezekiah he would be healed and live a further 15 years.
On the 3rd day Esther went before the king on behalf of the Jews.
On the 3rd day Hosea says God will restore us so that we may live in His presence.
Those passages are more than coincidental. They speak of protection, bearing with and not giving up. Life had not ended.
We are also people of the third day.
Whatever is in front of you is not as secure as it makes out when LOVE is within you.
Missions Paul 