Faith, Hope and Love – 1 Corinthians 13:13

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Lord’s prescription for inexpressible joy regardless of the season, calm or stormy, is to abide in faith, hope, and love.[1]  Take it liberally without fear of overdosing, become dependent upon it, relishing the notion of addiction to it, and share it without reserve, for your Physician has promised that your supply will never run dry.

Faith, the assurance of things hoped for, the promise of things not seen – walk in it.[2]  In faith, plant your feet on the rock of your salvation,[3] and when a crack of thunder in the silent morning and a flash of lightning across the tranquil sky announce a tempest, stand in faith upon the Rock who will not be shaken.[4]  Lay aside your preconceptions, suppositions, figuring, and finagling, and commit your way to the Lord.  Let the winds bluster and the seas threaten; they have no power over you for you are safe and secure.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, and walk through the storm, dry and unscathed, refusing doubt a place in your thoughts, being of good courage, living by faith, not by sight.[5]

Hope, the anchor for our soul, the sure and steadfast reliance on the prize set before us – live in it.  Hope when the sun appears to have burned out and stars seem to be falling from the sky.  It has not, and they have not.  Your God, who commanded them into the heavens and secures them in their places, has a plan for you, an exceedingly, abundantly gracious plan.  His plan is worth waiting for, and as you wait to see it fulfilled and Jesus glorified in it, rejoice in the expectation of it and remain fervent in prayer.

Love, the warmth and joy that delights the soul, the antidote for bitterness, anger, malice, indifference, unkindness, jealousy, judgment, clamor, and disdain – pursue it.  Love with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Love your God with all that is within you and love your neighbor as yourself.[6]  Love in all things, when it brings love in return and when its recipient meets it with hatred and scorn, when you feel love’s just rewards and when it appears to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Now abide these three, faith, hope, and love.  In the power of Holy Spirit, by the daily bread of the Word, through of fellowship of Jesus, abide these three, remembering that the greatest of these is love.

Choose love in times when anger flares

Choose love over hatred’s snares

Choose love when attacked while innocent

Choose love though you are fully spent

Choose hope when it seems all is lost

Choose hope no matter what the cost

Choose hope when everything seems bleak

Choose hope though you have naught you seek

Choose faith though others tell you, “Noâ€

And caution that you should not go

Into the place where God would lead

That He may make you free indeed

Choose gentleness and righteousness

Choose a spirit different from the rest

Choose joy and peace amidst the fray

Choose goodness, kindness, each this day

Choose the One whom you will serve

Choose obedience without reserve

Choose the path that leads to nothing less

Than a heart refined by holiness

[1] 1 Peter 1:6-9

[2] Hebrews 11:1

[3] Psalm 89:26

[4] Matthew 7:24-25

[5] 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

[6] Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 10:27