Hebrews 3:13

Can I first say a word to pastors? God bless each of you who are giving the Lord the best you have in times like this. I know that some of you feel alone in the field right now. You are a shepherd trying to keep the flock encouraged when tempted with discouragement yourselves. We may see a lot of things differently in our ministry during “normal times,” but life these days are not normal times. Keep on keeping on; you have beautiful flocks to tend and safely lead to the fold of the Lord.

“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

It’s funny that we can think of ourselves as unbreakable until the day that life proves us wrong. That is the day we may realize how much we need the Lord; and how much we need each other. When that happens, it can be the most blessed day of our life.

You probably know the illustration about taking a single string and seeing how easily it breaks. If you weave more strings together, they become nearly unbreakable. What if those strings were woven around a steel rod?

I think of that as a picture of the church. Each one of us is a very breakable thread. We need the strengthening relationships that come when we are bound together and woven around Christ.

Are you a part of the only fabric that will endure the stress of this life? I don’t need to tell you that this world can put you through many hardships, tears, and trials; but it cannot, and will not, break you when your strength is in the Lord.

Even with all its faults we need the Church in our life. There have been so many times that we have been discouraged, afraid and worried; but then a dear saint’s encouragement became like Jesus’ words, “Peace, be still!” It is in Christian fellowship that our tired arms and weak knees are given strength to keep on.

Do not allow your need for the Church to fray or unravel. The hymn prays, “BIND US TOGETHER, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together with love.”