Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
Dust started filling the room as the jackhammer continued to recoil then repeatedly slam the concrete floor. The construction worker had to muster all his strength just to guide the heavy piece of equipment. The 40-year-old concrete floor could not withstand the assault from the jackhammer, and the floor quickly turned to rubble. The concrete rubble was soon cleared away, exposing a multistrand cable that had been placed within the concrete 40 years earlier to strengthen it and prevent it from cracking. The cable was still holding strong after all these years and even survived the relentless battering of the jackhammer.
The same could not be said about a second cable, just a short 18 inches away from the first; most of its strands had rusted through, turning to dust from decay and the pounding of the jackhammer. I don’t know what caused the second cable to deteriorate over all these years. But I do know whatever weakened it kept it from achieving its designed purpose.
As I stood there looking at the two cables my mind went to Ecclesiastes 4:12 (“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”) This is a very well-known Biblical saying. In Israeli culture three is the number of completeness and stability. Commentators have also referenced this verse as representing the Holy Trinity; Faith, Hope and Charity of the Christian life; as well as the marriage bond between Jesus, husband and wife. The three-strand cord was the strongest and most often used during the time of Christ. The scripture writer was clearly making a point that when we stand as three we are exponentially stronger than standing on our own or even with one other person.
These days we live in a society where everyone wants individual independence, our circle of real friends is getting smaller, social media continues to replace true friendships, and many times we even try to avoid our neighbors. But people are made for interpersonal relationships and are much more resilient when supported by others. If we are to stay strong in the faith and fulfill God’s designed purpose for our lives, we must seek out deeper, more meaningful relationships with people of faith. By joining with Christ and other believers we can strengthen our cords and together withstand the jackhammering of life.
Thought for the Day: Whom in my life can I support and help strengthen?
Prayer: Dear Lord, bring strong believers into my life so together we can form a cord of three strands and fulfill our God-given purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Focus: Building strong Christian relationships.
By The Orphan Carpenter (California, USA)
Good points. We are made to be interpersonal. Churches need to work on this as it is entirely possible to walk in, sing, piu money in the okate and and leave with no real interaction. Small groups and ministries within any church help with this.
What a great truth! (And very well exposed in your devotional). Thank you for the reminder. We usually want to do things ourselves, probably out of ego or because we don’t trust others except ourselves. I will start putting this in practice again, to be part of a stronger rope, not just being a single rope/cable/strand myself.
Your wife just asked me to be her friend on Facebook. We went to school together as kids in the Philippines. I told her how I remember her being popular and her faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. I just shared some personal information with her. I told her that God is so amazing and continues to provide for my needs (specially my spiritual needs). Little did I know, that you will be an encouragement to me. I plan to order your book. Keep it up, my faithful brother in Christ. God bless you!
Hey Mylene,
Glad you were able to connect. Praying the Lord continues to encourage you as I know he will. He’s working in our lives in more ways than we can imagine.
Ken
Awesome devotional. Truly, The Orphan Carpenter is spot on. It reminds of the story about the five brothers who always break into a fight. One day the father calls them and gives each one a stick. He tells them to break it. The stick easily snaps. Now he gathers five sticks again and bundles them together. He tells his sons to break them. No one succeeds. He explains to his children that if they stick together and not fight, no one can break their family apart. Lessons learned. There is strength in numbers. Find some like-minded people of faith who will pray with you and strengthen you in your daily life because “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”