February 16, 2026

Daily Devotional:

“The Resilience of Love”

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 

In a culture that often feeds on "scandal" and "gotcha" moments, verse 6 presents a radical challenge. To "not delight in evil" means we stop feeling a secret surge of satisfaction when someone we dislike fails. Instead, love is a partner to the truth. It finds its joy when reality and integrity align, even if that truth is inconvenient. We are living in a modern world that often finds "entertainment" in the mistakes of others or feels vindicated when an opponent fails, Paul offers a radical alternative that Love finds no joy in wrongdoing. Instead, love is the greatest cheerleader for the truth. It doesn’t look for "gotcha" moments; it looks for "growth" moments.

The four "always" statements in verse 7 (protect, trust, hope, and persevere) describe the muscles of love. Love isn't a passive feeling; it is an active force. It protects like a shield, it covers the vulnerabilities of others rather than exposing them. It trusts and chooses to believe the best, even when it’s easier to be cynical. It hopes and looks past the current struggle toward the potential of what God can do. And it perseveres to outlast the storm. It doesn’t quit when the "feeling" of love fades or when things get messy.

Today, you may encounter someone who irritates you or a situation that feels hopeless. Challenge yourself to apply one of the "four always" actions. Perhaps it is choosing to protect someone’s reputation in a conversation or trusting a loved one’s heart despite a misunderstanding.

This kind of love is impossible to manufacture on our own. It is a reflection of how God loves us; steadfastly, truthfully, and endlessly.