Thrice, Thrice, Thrice

 

"Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do."

~ St. Thomas Aquinas,  

Thrice.  A magical number.  Research experiments are repeated three times to validate and verify. "Triangulate your evidence" was a phrase I used often in math class. If you recognize something that has bothered you three times, you find a solution for it.  Lionel Richie says you're three times a lady.  Lynyrd Skynyrd only needed three steps towards the door.  Don't forget the three coins in the fountain probably thrown by the three amigos.  And I would be remiss if I did not mention the delicious tres leches dessert.  OK, I'll stop.

So what's the big deal about the number three?

Well, besides the fact that it represents stability, the three primary colors, and defines the three dimensions we all live in, we put our faith in the Trinity.  

Speaking of faith, there's a report I just read from the American Bible Society called 'the State of the Bible Report' that says the percentage of people that read the Bible at least three times a year outside of church is increasing from 38% to 41%, translating roughly to 10 million people.  Yay!! But three times a year?  

Digging deeper, the study states that more men, millennials and Gen Zers are engaging with scripture.  Previously those groups were the least likely to use the Bible.  People are hungry for the Word of God- definitely worth praising God over!

This is what baffles me- in this same study over half of all Americans say they wish they read the Bible more.  Especially in America, what is keeping a person from doing that very thing?  I could see how one would wish that if they lived before the printing press in the mid 1400s and had to wait three years for a monk to finish completing a manuscript of the Bible on parchment paper.  But with a tap of our finger we have apps (like YouVersion) that show us over 2400 languages and versions of the Bible.  Or if one lived in a country like Nigeria or Iran.  But America?

There are numerous devotions from incredible trusted Bible believing sources available on any phone that take about three minutes a day to read.  If we committed to that imagine what change our hearts would surrender to.  I believe it would cause a spiritual revival.  

Back to the number three - let's make it more powerful.  Rather than three times a year, Daniel, one of the heroes of our faith, prayed three times a day to God in front of open windows in spite of an edict that promised death to anyone who did not worship the idol statue of King Nebuchadnezzar.  When people like this live by faith, it allows opportunities in our lives to let God be the amazing God that He is.

  "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Ps 119:105

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever." Is 40:8

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting

and training in righteousness" 1 Tim 3:16-17

In truth, three is not really a magical number at all.  It just sounds cool to say something thrice.

  ✙    Dear Heavenly Father,  thank You for the mercy You shower on us daily.  In Your mercy, guide us through Your Word.  In Your mercy, grow our faith and love in You.  In Your mercy, give us boldness and courage to live out our faith.  Amen.