Characteristics of Love #14 – Always Hopes

“… (love) always hopes. .. .”  I Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

HOPE is the natural emotion that causes us to keep going. HOPE plus God’s Word equals FAITH. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for . . .” (Emphasis supplied.) Without HOPE, you cannot have FAITH. HOPE is the VISION that you want FAITH to reach. You could say: HOPE is the target and FAITH the arrows, and one without the other is ineffective.

Godly love always hopes that things will work out… that things will change . . . that an answer is on the way; but HOPE is not PASSIVE. HOPE is very ACTIVE and stands between two other action words: LOVE and FAITH. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ” (I Corinthians 13:13) Sandwiched neatly between LOVE and FAITH,

HOPE forms the bridge of vision to activate the others.

Keep hoping. Do not let your heart get discouraged. HOPE in God. Base your HOPE upon His Word. Pick out a specific Scripture that you can stand upon, and then, “having done all, [just] STAND.” (Ephesians 6:13) His Word will restore your VISION. Keep your VISION strong for without it, your FAITH is powerless. LOVE ALWAYS HOPES.

PRAY: “Lord, You alone are my Source of HOPE.  My VISION and direction comes from above, and I look to You to lead me in Your LOVE.  Let my life be a testimony of FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE today. Amen.”