By Todd Barrier 

In Aesop’s Fables there is a story about a wise farmer and his sons.  

The farmer’s family was quarrelsome, and it drove him crazy. It seemed his two sons were the ringleaders of the problems within the family.  

One day he brought them both to his room and presented to them many sticks he had bundled together. He asked the two sons to break the sticks in half. When they were unable to do so, the father untied the sticks and asked them to break the sticks one by one. They were easily able to do this.  

The father explained that when we are united, our enemies cannot break us, but when we are separated, we can be destroyed.  

The application is that in union, there is strength. There is wisdom in this story for the Christian.  

When we are “quarreling” with God over His Word versus our desires, it leaves an opening for the enemy. However, when we study, take to heart and live out His Word, we are united with Him and His church, and the enemy cannot knock us down.  

In 1 Cor. 6:17, the Bible says, “He who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” 

Are you united with Christ?