In 1993, Jim Valvano inspired a crowd of sports enthusiasts with these words: "Don’t give up, don’t ever give up." At the time, Valvano was battling cancer. He lived with excruciating pain and a bleak prognosis. He was in a position to give up, to retreat. He chose differently.

Valvano created a foundation to raise support and awareness for cancer research. He chose to leave an enduring legacy of hope, encouragement and inspiration. I tell his story because it touches on one of the seven characteristics of God’s love, and it is this: love never gives up. It perseveres and endures to the end.

Do you know that God never gives up on you? He will never turn his back on you and walk away. He has promised that he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Everyone else may walk away, but not God, not love. God sticks with you always. He perseveres. He endures.

You can count on his love through thick and thin. You may get trapped in the things of this world or choose to give into the desires of the flesh, but the nature of love stands. It perseveres. Think of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews spoke of his enduring love and encouraged us to fix our eyes on him, "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame..."

Jesus endured the cross. He finished his work. And after suffering, he was crowned with glory and honor. Now, his joy is in "bringing many sons and daughters to glory" with him. This is where the perseverance of love comes in. He works to transform us "into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When we are tempted, he perseveres. When we are weak, his love continues its work in us. In our time of need, he does not abandon us. He gives us grace and mercy. He endures. His love endures always. Paul puts it this way "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

When you grow weary and lose heart, remember God's love is there. He perseveres on your behalf. As the Psalmist penned, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 118:1). Abide in that love. You will find yourself persevering with others. That's love.