Ties That Bind

When we are bound together in Jesus, that binding is so strong that satan cannot break the bond. In Ecclesiastes, the writer writes the following words.

Ecclesiastes 4: ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor;¹⁰ for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up! ¹¹ Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?¹² And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. We need the Ties That Bind, and the first cord represents our Savior and Lord, Jesus. He is the foundational part of the strength of the cord, and when we have Jesus, we have the Love of God, which holds the whole thing together. Without Jesus, the world and all of its failings actually tear at the cord to weaken it, thus the condition of our present world of chaos and hate.

The second cord is a cord of faith, and this faith is bound to a loving God who has given us all we need to not only exist and breathe, but thrive in His wonderful power and grace. I use the term FAITH WALK for this pilgrimage I am on, as it takes a great amount of faith just to keep going in the call God has on my heart and life. I actually believe in God, and I believe His Word, totally, and that generates a faith walk that keeps on walking. I would like to say I have it all together all of the time, but that would be a lie, so I won't. Life itself can be "the pits." God intervenes with His lovingkindness (which is better than life) at just the right time, proving He is an on-time God. On time to me means HE IS PRESENT, and His presence is just what I need. The Psalmist speaks to the presence of God in my everyday decisions and every day living. Psalm 92:⁵ How great are Your works, Lord!

Your thoughts are very deep. ⁶ A stupid person has no knowledge, Nor does a foolish person understand this: ⁷ When the wicked sprouted up like grass, And all who did injustice flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore. ⁸ But You, Lord, are on high forever. Have an open heart and allow God to minister to you on a deeper level, and in that level STAY. I love to have God pour salve over my heart and mind, and bring the peace that passes all understanding into my present life, and just bask in the glory of His presence. In His presence, I find true peace, hope, and love. God is my rest.....This cord holds me together, and God is in control of the strength of this cord.

The third cord is the cord of steadfastness. It is one thing to start something and then keep it going, and then finish it. Jesus set the level for finishing when on the cross He said, "It is finished," and praise God for Him finishing the most important thing. To be steadfast is vital to the strength of this cord. Steadfast (def) - resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

I waver from time to time, and the very strength I need to follow through is not found in me and my character, but in Jesus. Jesus is my finisher in every effort, and I praise His name for giving me a steadfast calling that will not fail. In my many years of ministry, I have served with some ministers who thought they were "hired" by churches, and that was their calling, and I take offense at the attitude! When I was called, it was a huge life decision to stand before our Lord and say, "I will to whatever." I did not take it lightly, and that call is still fresh in my heart to this day, even though I have some "age" on me. In fact, my age has morphed into wisdom, of which I am thankful. I look at past mistakes and see just how God has grown me up into a vessel He can use, and He has equipped me to be steadfast. My namesake, David, had messed up, and in His prayer to God in Psalm 51, he prayed the following in verse 10 Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. The two things that David knew that he needed were a clean heart and a steadfast spirit, and He knew that God could create that in Him, because David knew the heart of God. So when I see I am slipping or weakening, I call out to God, much like David, and ask God to recreate the freshness in this calling I have had for many years, and then I am once again "steadfast," and I can say "God did it!"

Three strands in the cord of my life and many more options when that cord is strong, so I protect it. This cord is a vivid example of a Tie that binds, and it is tied tight!!

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren