16. Charity never fails. Thank God! Pretended [pg 106] friends may fail you; the world may fail you; wealth and honor may fail you; but love will never fail. It will bear you over the rough places in life's pathway. It will drive away the clouds. It will kiss the chastening rod. It will sweeten the bitter cup. It will soften the hardest pillow, and when you are brought down into the shadow of death Love looks across to the golden glories and sings as the cords are being severed—Love never fails.
“Fairest and foremost of the trains that wait
On man's most dignified and happiest state,
Whether we name thee Charity or Love,
Chief grace below, and all in all above.”—Cowper.
Joy.
The second mentioned fruit of the Spirit is joy. God is glorified by our fruit-bearing. To be filled with joy is honoring God. Not rejoicing only when the world is smiling upon you and prosperity extends her jeweled hand. At these times the ungodly can rejoice. But when the world frowns and prosperity hides her face, when trials and temptations are divers, to then rejoice is a golden fruit for God. Tribulations may come, but, when filled with the Spirit, we glory in them. Rom. 5:3. O beloved, look upward to God and rejoice. Trust in his promise and count everything joy, no matter what may be the circumstances of life. Trials, temptations, discouragements, afflictions, imprisonments, persecutions, [pg 107] destruction, and poverty—know that nothing can separate you from the love of God; so go on your way rejoicing.
Peace.
Jesus sets up his throne of peace in the hearts of the righteous and there he reigns a king. Peace he gives unto us, not as this world gives, but a peace that flows like a river—a peace that is abiding. “Acquaint thyself with God and be at peace.” Listen to what the Word of God says about the peace of the righteous. “Great peace have they;” “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace;” “Peace like a river;” “Filled with all peace and joy.”
A precious fruit, which the Christian should develop by placing greater confidence in God.