Mar 24 – Love Suffers Long !

“Love suffers long and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

In this passage, the Apostle Paul lists the qualities of love and describes fifteen beautiful characteristics. They are like fifteen fragrant flowers in a lovely garden, spreading their sweet aroma. It is love that gives a person a gracious character and makes his life a pleasing fragrance.

Among the many qualities of love, the foremost is this: love suffers long. When love is present, one can patiently endure any hardship or injury. With love, a person can turn the other cheek to the one who strikes him. Love does not seek revenge. It enables us to endure with patience. Such endurance is not weakness; it is a noble, divine virtue.

Abraham Lincoln had a strong political opponent named Stanton. Stanton mocked Lincoln publicly, calling him a low comedian and even likened him to a primitive ape. He criticized and attacked him in speech and writing. Yet Lincoln never uttered a word in retaliation.

When the time of war came, Lincoln appointed this same Stanton as Secretary of War and openly praised his abilities. That act of love broke Stanton’s heart. From that day forward, he worked wholeheartedly for the nation and for Lincoln. When Lincoln died, Stanton wept bitterly and declared, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.” Indeed, love suffers long and is kind. It possesses immeasurable patience and forbearance.

A young woman patiently waits, willing to sacrifice, to marry the one who loves her. A wife waits eagerly, hoping her husband’s heart will turn back to her. Children long for their father who has gone to a distant land, waiting for his return. Love suffers long. It teaches us to wait with expectation and patience.

Jacob loved Rachel deeply and was willing to serve as a labourer for her sake. He patiently served his father-in-law for fourteen years. The Bible says, “So Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he tended sheep” (Hosea 12:12).

Likewise, the Lord loves us and waits with long patience for our repentance. Will the One who gave His life for us lack compassion? Will the One who shed His blood for us withhold His love? Children of God, shall we not inherit the same gentleness and love of our Lord?

Verse for further meditation: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).