Day 13

Marriage is more than the relationship of a husband and wife, but a three-fold cord that includes the presence of God.

‘Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.’ (ECCLESIASTES 4:12)

God is Trinity. One God, yet three – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. ‘Made in God’s image’ is not only an individual expression of His moral character, but in relationship, a further expression of His character. God stated in the beginning that ‘it is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2:18). The immediate provision was the creation of ‘male and female,’ and this turned the ‘not good’ of isolation into the ‘good’ of togetherness.

The Book of Ecclesiastes describes the value of two over one, ‘If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?’ and then writes: ‘A cord of three strands is not quickly broken’ (Ecclesiastes 4:10- 12). This third person in the three-fold cord is God Himself. God is not a bystander in our relationships but a participator as we intertwine our lives with His.

This is the trio that lived in the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis – Adam, Eve and God. We were never intended to be sufficient alone, but neither were we intended to be sufficient in marriage, but husband and wife find their sufficiency in their union together with God.

Lord, thank You for Your presence in my marriage and relationships.