1 Though I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, 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
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Unfailing Love
God /Love never fails, and nothing can hinder His love for you. Sin, death, mistakes, evil. Nothing can overcome Love. Because God is infinite, He has an infinite supply of love. His love will cover every need no matter how deep, how wide, or how high.
The Greek word for fail used in this verse is ekpiptō which means to fall powerless, to be without effect. Love/God is never without effect, therefore, every situation, difficulty, loss or cultural challenge can be impacted by love.
Discouraged?
I think where we get discouraged is when we have prayed about something, perhaps even for years, and don’t see any change. Because we don’t see anything, we assume nothing is happening. Sometimes we are in for a long siege of praying for a child, a spouse, a job, our health, or any other number of things. I have been there myself. It can take years to see any progress, or sometimes we may not see the answer this side of heaven. What do we do then?
We trust God, His timing, and His promises. We change our negative thoughts and words to positive words of affirmation that God is working, and we claim the promises in His Word even if they are not true in our situation yet. We pray, we praise, we do whatever He directs us to do and wait on His timing. We can’t see the battle that’s waging in the heavens. We don’t know what baby steps have to be taken before that giant step that we’re waiting for can occur. There is always hope when God and love are involved.
Love does the hard thing, the good thing, the right thing. God’s love never fails. Be loved, Beloved. Amen.
Day 8 Journal Activities
- Do you have a situation/person discouraging to you because it seems love and prayers have failed? Write it down in your journal.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the situation/your discouragement about it. Write any insights you might receive. If you don’t already have one, pray for a scripture to claim for your loved one/situation and begin praying it each day.
- Feel free to share any thoughts/insights in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
As I was praying through the journal activities, God brought to mind a person I have been praying for for years, and a verse to pray over this person: See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the [a]elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ, Col. 2:8 AMP.
He also gave me some clarity on a struggle I have with defining my focus. I have so many projects and potential projects that it is a struggle for me to determine priorities and sometimes I can flounder in indecision. God highlighted two tings that need my attention first. Thankful for this leading, Lord. Your love never fails us. Amen!