Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. I. HAVE A THREEFOLD CORD IN YOUR RELIGION. Religion for young folks as well as old. Is yours twofold or threefold? Let us see. There is God — one. And you — two. Is that all? Explain how some people have no more. This not a nice religion. Can't get near God. Can't know Him. Bring in Christ, and you have the threefold cord. Then this cord will stand the strain. That is a strong religion. When temptations come down hard on you, it will hold and save you. II. HAVE A THREEFOLD CORD IN YOUR DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS. Story of youth at sea. Ordered, during a storm, to go up and put the rigging right. Momentary hesitation of boy, and then darted down to his cabin. Appeared again immediately, ascended mast, put rigging right, and came down. Asked by an officer, "What made you run below? For prayer, sir: father always told me no time was ever lost in prayer." "And what is that under your jacket?... My Bible, sir. My mother gave it to me when leaving home. I thought if I were drowned, I would like to have it with me." Now here was a nice threefold cord — Prayer, the Bible, and Courage. I wish you had it. You may have, likely will have, many a hard bit in your life. But if you weave these three together into a cord, and hold on by it, you are safe. III. HAVE A THREEFOLD CORD IN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS. There is an old saying among folks, that "Two are good company, but three are none." And they expect us to believe that! We want no friendship that is only twofold. Have you any friendship without Jesus? He is the third strand of the cord. If there be anybody who wants you to go roads where Jesus can't go with you, give up that company at once. We should want no friendship where our Saviour can't; be one. (J. F. Dempster.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. |
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