Not Easily Broken...

 

"I have come to learn that when He is at the centre of a friendship, a book, a thought, a connection, a dream etc - it is NOT easily broken!" - Bronwen Healy

"And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12 HCSB

My friend Bronwen posted the above quote and verse on Facebook last night, and it was an answer to prayer for me. The day before I had asked God to guide me in regard to a particular relationship in my life. One that has caused me no end of stress and hurt, but one that keeps, and I believe through the grace of God, staying strong regardless of the circumstances.

I believe that this quote and verse is an answer to that prayer, and a reminder (it was more like a boom to the heart actually) that because He is at the centre of this relationship, that it is to continue whether I like it or not.

Over the last week I have been able to work through many aspects of this relationship. I've learnt a lot about myself by opening up to the other person about my deep seeded feelings. I felt God's healing wash over me as I typed out the words.

I brought me to a new place. A healthy place. A place where I have realised that I am no longer dependent on another human being for my happiness. That Jesus is enough, and that through Jesus I can keep the human desires under control.

It's a freeing revelation.

When my marriage first broke up 16 years ago my auntie rang one night at around 10pm after I'd prayed to God to help me. I had been in Brisbane for not quite a year. I only had a couple of friends. I was lost. My auntie quoted Ecclesiastes 4:12 and it's the one verse that has stuck with me over the years while I was pursuing relationships where the cord of three strands was not present.

With this current day relationship, it is. It's a complicated relationship. It's one that has brought me closer to Jesus. It's one that I cannot see going away. It's one that has developed into a friendship that will last a lifetime and into eternity.

This new revelation also brings me to realise that another friendship that went awry late last year has been restored because there is a cord of three strands holding it together. God is good like that. And I am thankful.

God's power cannot be broken or thwarted when He is at the centre. These two friendships that have been restored and renewed are proof of that; because God is at the centre.

God is good.

For more reading on the topic of the cord with three strands, please see here.

BF2013: Hope for Restoration...

Isaiah 35 is all about God's promise of Hope for Restoration. I really needed to read this a couple of nights ago, and the promises in it. While life is generally going smoothly, my health, and that of my daughter's, is suffering. Life has become a tad hectic and we're not coping. I'd like to say that I have it all together but I don't. Work issues, health issues, dental issues (!!!), money issues, and so on. It all builds up after a while. I have almost reached my limit.

But...

But God has it covered. And I need to keep reminding myself of this. Hence why Isaiah 35 is necessary.

Isaiah 35

New Living Translation (NLT)

Hope for Restoration

35 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
² Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
³ With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
⁴ Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”

⁵ And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
⁶ The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
⁷ The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.

⁸ And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
⁹ Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
¹⁰ Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem^[a] singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Footnotes:

1. 35:10 Hebrew Zion.

He will strengthen my tired hands, body, heart and mind.
He will encourage me through His Word, and through those He sends to me.
He will tell me to be strong. To not fear.
He will remind me that He is coming to destroy those who attack me.
He will save me.

I can't save myself from me; only God can.

He provides Hope for Restoration. He provides everything I need. He provide.