Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that 'a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; and three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.'
This passage shows us that two people who work together through any situation they face will not only be able to endure it but also overcome it. However, it makes the distinction that three are even better because a cord of three strands is not easily broken. In the context of marriage, the three-stranded cord refers to the husband, the wife, and God. Therefore, the third person being referred to is God. He is that third strand which, when joined with the other two working together, creates a bond that endures and is not quickly broken.
What does it mean when it says that a three-stranded cord is not easily broken? The fact that it is difficult to break does not mean it is impossible; rather, it requires effort and commitment from the strands that make up the cord to prevent it from breaking. This is because both spouses must be willing to invest in the relationship for it to thrive and endure. God’s will is already good; He is always willing to work unconditionally with us and for us. Therefore, each spouse must be willing to put in the effort and care necessary to keep the cord from breaking.
In other words, the Third Member of the cord already makes it difficult to break, but it depends on the other two being willing to maintain and preserve that bond. For the cord to remain strong, God must first be the center and foundation. Then, both spouses must share the desire for the relationship to succeed and endure. If the spouses are unwilling to work together for their marriage, the cord can break. Likewise, if the spouses are willing but God is not at the center, it can also break because their union is not founded upon the Rock.
As you can see, this design is one made for three. God must always be at the center of marriage. He designed it and has the tools to make it work, but there is also a part that continually belongs to us. We must be willing to work on our marriage every day. That way, when God is the foundation of the marriage and both of you, as spouses, are committed to make it work, no evil can defeat you. No matter what situation stands before you, it will never be stronger than you.
After all, God does not promise that a marriage centered on Him will be free from challenges and obstacles. Instead, He promises that even in the midst of adversity, two people united with Him will remain steadfast, persist, and overcome. Therefore, although you will not be able to avoid the troubles of this world, you can feel completely secure and prepared for every crisis when God is the foundation of your marriage. As the third strand of the marital bond, He provides the endurance, strength, and understanding you need to learn how to navigate whatever challenges come your way.
Therefore, the key to a lasting marriage is simple: weave God into the very core of your marriage and be willing to work continually to cultivate and protect it. If you do this, you will enjoy a stable and resilient marriage. Whenever you need Him, God will faithfully be by your side, and He has the power to help you in everything that both of you place in His hands.