June 3 - Ecclesiastes 4:12b

Three are even better,

for a triple-braided cord

is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12b

^NLT

In rope making, there's a power in three. 

One cord is easily broken. It's only as strong as its weakest spot. 

Two cords are stronger. But it's mainly just a twist that can easily unravel. 

Three is a braid. It locks ties the strands together. In fact, when it is pulled, the tension ties it tighter and makes it stronger. 

Four (or more) strands may make a rope thicker, but it won't necessarily add to its strength. 

Why? Because each strand is not in constant contact with every other strand. 

Four or more are not always touching. 

Three are! Constantly. Drawing strength from each other. 

So how does this apply to the marriage of one man and one women? By my count, that's two cords -- twisted, but prone to unraveling. 

Who or what is the third cord?

God!

And that makes all the difference!

Too many people try to make a marriage without God as an equal partner. Even good Christian couples. We're physical (two) rather than spiritual (three). 

 

It's understandable, but it explains why too many marriages untwist and unravel. Even among good Christians. Functionally, we try doing life without God. We compromise on his commands. We waffle over his ways. We do things in a worldly manner ... and then we're surprised when we get worldly results. 

The secret to life and marriage is the third cord. When things get tight (and they will) ... when tension tugs on our marriage (and it will) ... the third cord (stronger by far than him or her) binds us together and makes us infinitely stronger. 

Question: To what degree is your life and marriage defined by your relationship to that third strand (God)?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who had

brothers and sons,

so I never learned how to

braid things like hair

-- fortunately my wife and

my Lord know how to braid

and I am blessed by a

wonderfully braided marriage