This morning as I explored God’s Word, I was intrigued by the many references to relationships of three. I started thinking about Ecclesiastes 4:11-12, “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat; but how can one keep warm alone? And if one prevails against him; two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
I researched rope and found that two or three cords interwoven are the only number of strands that remain in constant contact with each other. A two-cord strand is weaker than a three-cord strand. Adding a fourth strand causes breaks in the contacts of the strands. A three-cord strand symbolizes strength, resilience and continual connection.
Marriage represents the union of God, husband, and wife; a bond that should not be easily broken. The key to the strength of the rope is contact and connection, which represents intimacy. God wants to envelope our homes, our marriages, our families in His holy presence. He desires to be intimate with us as we bow our
hearts before him and are intentional about being intimate with Him. So many things seek our attention, our time, and our focus away from the most important relationships in our lives. My husband will be talking to me, my cell phone lights up, and my attention goes to my phone and away from him. The Father does not need a fourth party to strengthen us or our marriage. He only needs a captive heart to hear His still small voice. He can lead us in wisdom, the wisdom found in His Word wisdom so pure and holy that only His children can understand. A wisdom that supplies strength and resilience to our relationships.
“Wives, be subject to your OWN husbands (out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God), as is proper and fitting in the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22 AMP
“Husbands, love your OWN wives (seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love). Ephesians 5:25 AMP
One meaning of subject is “to expose or lay open.” I equate this to being intimate and vulnerable. Considering God is love, so loving that He was willing to give us choice knowing it would cost Him Everything, I’m certain intimacy is the motive
behind both verses.
Activity: Prayerfully discern fourth party hindrances in your marriage.
Is that council making your relationship more resilient?
Are you doing your part in keeping your strand of the cord strong by endeavoring to encounter Jesus daily, exposing your heart to the council of His Word?
Identitfy fourth party council in your marriage (a friend, a pastor, your father or mother, your phone, virtual reality?)
