Love Never Fails... (But I Do)

Most things fail. Some would argue that everything will fail, eventually.

I often fail.

I fail to meet deadlines. I fail to achieve goals. I fail to remain focussed when people are talking to me. I fail to remember the really important item my wife told me to get from the supermarket. I fail to realise other people’s expectations of me. I fail to stop at a red light when my kids are arguing in the back seat of the car (once, I only did this once). This could be a really long list, so I’ll save you the reading…

In short, I am fallible. One of the many problems with this fact, is that I really don’t like to fail. But I am ok with other people’s failure. I even tend to find enjoyment and comfort in other people’s failure. Further proof that I am fallible.

I am not alone in this.
You are fallible too (don’t hate me, it’s true). I would also hazard a guess that you don’t enjoy failing and you even find solace in knowing that other people fail and can fail more spectacularly than you do.

I’ll prove it. For the past 5 years or more there has been a growing #fail and #epicfail meme phenomenon that consumes far too much internet bandwidth. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.

If you don’t find any of these images even slightly amusing, you are a far better person than I am. That, or you’re a health and safety officer.

The apostle Paul in his letter to the early Roman church tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) To sin, is simply that: to miss the mark, to fall short of the target or goal, to go astray, to fail.

We all fail.

In contrast, Paul also tells us, love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8) Love never falters, never fades, never ceases, never dies. Love is constant. Love is eternal.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ NIV)

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬ NIV)

And surely I (Jesus) am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬ NIV)

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22-23‬ NIV)

God’s love never fails, but I do. You do. The good news is that He loves you with a love that is constant and relentless. No matter how often you fail. No matter how many times you fall short. Jesus’ love remains, endures, and pursues us.

Do you know this to be true?

Have you received His love in your life? Have you received it today? His love, compassions and mercies are new every morning.

Even though almost everything we do and experience in this life will cease, our great hope is, God’s love lasts forever.


OVER TO YOU
How often do you consider the everlasting nature of God’s love? Do you focus more on your own nature and failings rather than the infallibility of God’s love?

What if, each day, you were to ask Jesus to reveal His love to you?


LOVE IN ACTION
Imagine, for one minute (an entire 60 seconds), that you’re surrounded by and filled with the love of Jesus. Now, do it again.

Can I challenge you to do that every morning for a week? Focus on and receive Jesus’ love, even if it’s just for minute or two.


PRAYER
Lord, even though I fail often, your love is constant and everlasting. Because of your great love I am not consumed, for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Reveal your love to me. I receive your love afresh and pray that it would fill and overflow in my life. Amen.