LOVE ALWAYS
Terry R. Baughman
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:2–4).
Love is the most powerful of all emotions. It can overcome anger, resentment, or hatred, even apathy. Some emotions are violent and destructive, but when confronted by love the opposition is powerless. Love will cause hearts to be reconciled and enemies to seek resolution.
God is love, and in Him we find the fortitude to face every obstacle. David sang a song of affirmation in the security he found in God. He said, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” He confided with confidence, “I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:3–4).
Paul devoted a chapter in his letter to the Corinthian church on the subject of love (or charity in the KJV) and its importance to our relationship with God and with others. We often refer to it as the love chapter and it is regarded as classic writing in literature. The nature of love is explained and its many characteristics elevated. Love is compared to faith and hope, but declared to be greater than either, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Paul said that love, “bears all things,” also translated in the NIV as, “always protects” (1 Corinthians 13:7). When everything seems overwhelming, love stands with us, for us, and surrounds us with a protection never imagined. Great feats of endurance and bravery have been accomplished when motivated by love.
We are secure in the love of Jesus. Paul presented the questions considering what might separate us from Him. He asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” He then answered with an affirming declaration, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37–39).
When someone we love is being threatened there is courage that swells up within us to protect them, even to the point of disregarding our own safety. A mother without great physical strength will take on the strongest to protect her children from harm. A father or brother may step in the way of danger to rescue a child or sister. It may be called heroic but to the one who loves it is just the right thing to do. Many times without a second thought there is action to protect those we love.
Jesus said if we know how to give good gifts, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). Paul said, "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Our God loves us, gave Himself for us, and has given His Holy Spirit to empower us. You can trust His love!
Love always protects!
Scripture:
“Love … rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.…” (1 Corinthians 13:6–8 NIV).
Terry R. Baughman
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:2–4).
Love is the most powerful of all emotions. It can overcome anger, resentment, or hatred, even apathy. Some emotions are violent and destructive, but when confronted by love the opposition is powerless. Love will cause hearts to be reconciled and enemies to seek resolution.
God is love, and in Him we find the fortitude to face every obstacle. David sang a song of affirmation in the security he found in God. He said, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” He confided with confidence, “I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:3–4).
Paul devoted a chapter in his letter to the Corinthian church on the subject of love (or charity in the KJV) and its importance to our relationship with God and with others. We often refer to it as the love chapter and it is regarded as classic writing in literature. The nature of love is explained and its many characteristics elevated. Love is compared to faith and hope, but declared to be greater than either, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Paul said that love, “bears all things,” also translated in the NIV as, “always protects” (1 Corinthians 13:7). When everything seems overwhelming, love stands with us, for us, and surrounds us with a protection never imagined. Great feats of endurance and bravery have been accomplished when motivated by love.
We are secure in the love of Jesus. Paul presented the questions considering what might separate us from Him. He asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” He then answered with an affirming declaration, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37–39).
When someone we love is being threatened there is courage that swells up within us to protect them, even to the point of disregarding our own safety. A mother without great physical strength will take on the strongest to protect her children from harm. A father or brother may step in the way of danger to rescue a child or sister. It may be called heroic but to the one who loves it is just the right thing to do. Many times without a second thought there is action to protect those we love.
Jesus said if we know how to give good gifts, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). Paul said, "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Our God loves us, gave Himself for us, and has given His Holy Spirit to empower us. You can trust His love!
Love always protects!
Scripture:
“Love … rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.…” (1 Corinthians 13:6–8 NIV).
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