Devotion:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:13.
It’s just one verse, but it has much to offer. The focus of this section of Paul’s letter to the Christians at Corinth is on the love that Jesus Christ lived and taught. To a people who had become divided, Paul stressed that this love was the key to staying united. This whole chapter is devoted to emphasizing that point and defining this love.
Then comes this verse. There he included two other powerful, life-giving forces: faith and hope. The verse leading into this chapter says “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” Faith, hope and love are those greater gifts of the most excellent way. They are what remain in life, when all else fails. They are the foundational building blocks of a solid life. They are what will carry you through when all else fails. They are the core of what God provides for us through Jesus Christ.
Think about the power of those three gifts in your own life. Faith gives you a place to stand when everything changes around you. As the old hymn says “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Hope gives you something to look forward to in the future, a future that belongs to God. And yet, as powerful as those gifts are, love stands out above even them. It is the love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ that will see us through any changes in our life and in our world. It is a love that we are to receive as a gift, then share with everyone we can.
Personal Worship Option:
Reflect on the effect that faith, hope and love have had on your life. Give thanks to God for these life-giving gifts.
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