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"Do
you have a rope or chain?" I asked the motorist, "I'm stuck." I had driven
into the ditch and was now trying to cope with my ordeal. Out came a brand
new three-stand rope, and within minutes I was driving again.
I contemplated why a three-strand rope was so popular
and strong. Yes, I knew an age-old dictum somewhere, "A three-strand rope
is not easily broken." I also heard it could be 10 to 15 times stronger
than a single-strand rope. A double strand would only be twice as strong.
Interesting. But why? I checked it out with a few engineering friends and
one could sense their excitement as they quickly threw out terms and expressions
familiar only within their trade. True, it is very important that when using
ropes, the strands should be equal in length. The fibers in the rope should
be the same strength. A three-strand rope guarantees that. Finally, the
strands work together when pressure is exerted on them, binding the fibers
just as one would squeeze a rope to increase its strength. The more a rope
is stretched, the more the three strands fuse or knot together, creating
more durability. Interesting.
Yes, a three-strand rope is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes
4:8-12 has an interesting perspective on this subject. It throws out numbers
such as one man, always alone, works and toils senselessly. It is hard for
him to keep warm by himself. On the other hand, two are better than one,
for they have a good return to their work. If one falls down, his friend
can pick him up. Two can keep warm when they lie down and two can defend
one another. Finally, in verse 12, it ends with "a cord of three strands
is not quickly broken."
So we ask, "What is the third link in all of this?" I
propose to you that the third missing ingredient is God himself. |
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We need God to fuse
our relationship as we work and toil in this life. Yes, we need each other,
but if God is not present in the formula, the strength of our rope is
not there. That verse also says that God does not easily wish to break
from us either. It is not up to us to try and keep Him in our three-strand
rope. If we trust Him, He will always be there! Amazing! That is His amazing
grace.
So my friend, is God part of your life? Does He twist
around your life strands to provide strength and durability in your life?
Otherwise, you may have a meaningless existence on Planet Earth (Ecclesiastes
4).
 A
Prayer: "Dear God, I thank
You for the lessons on a three-strand rope. Yes, I do need You to
provide that extra strength in my life. Please wrap and intertwine
Your love and power within me so I can feel Your strength from day
to day. Allow me to be a three-strand cord that can not be quickly
broken. I thank You too, that You do not fly away so quickly as You
are so faithful and true. I am sorry for the wrongs in my life that
hurt You and now I ask You to come into my life and take control.
Amen!".Amen. " |
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