Do you know what tensile strength is? And why it’s important?
This is the definition from the Simple English Wikipedia. “Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure, for example breaking.”
It’s important to know the tensile strength of wire cable when it’s being used to lift or suspend extremely heavy objects. I’ve seen pictures, disastrous pictures, at high-rise construction sites when a cable breaks and objects come falling to the ground. The strength of the cable was overestimated.
Equally important is knowing the tensile strength of a rope, chain or tie down strap that is used for towing. If someone is stuck in snow or mud and you’re going to try to pull them out, it’s essential that to know how much weight the tow rope can handle. If it’s not strong enough it will snap before the vehicle is freed from its plight.
But what does all this have to do with us? Glad you asked.
If we try to lift a load emotionally that is too heavy or we try to carry it for too long, we can come dangerously close to reaching our maximum strength and we can snap. Ever been to that point? Perhaps you’ve end said that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back – I’m done with you, I’m done with this. It’s over. I can’t take anymore!
What a horrible place to be? We weren’t made to carry those types of burdens or handle that kind of stress. That’s why God instructs us all through His word that He is our strength.
“Moses and the Israelites sang this song in praise of the Lord: I sing praises to the Lord for his great victory! He has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the Lord— he is my God and the God of my ancestors. 3 The Lord is his name, and he is a warrior!” Exodus 15:1-3 CEV
This is part of the song that Moses and the Israelites sang on the other side of the Red Sea. They had fled Egypt in the middle of the night and pharaoh was pursuing them with the armies of Egypt. They came to the Red Sea and the Lord displayed his strength by holding back the waters so the people of Israel could cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians started to follow after them the Lord released the waters and all the Egyptians drown. They were celebrating God’s strength and saving power.
“I love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my safe place, and the One Who takes me out of trouble. My God is my rock, in Whom I am safe. He is my safe-covering, my saving strength, and my strong tower. 3 I call to the Lord, Who has the right to be praised. And I am saved from those who hate me.” Psalm 18:1-3 NLV
King David wrote this praise to the Lord after he was delivered from the hand of King Saul. Saul hated David and hunted him like a wild animal. Saul was ruthless but David would not do anything to harm Saul because he was the king God had anointed. David knew he was to be the new king of Israel but he had integrity and trust in God which kept him from harming Saul.
“I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers. 7 You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song. 8 You give strength to your people, Lord, and you save and protect your chosen ones.” Psalm 28:6-8 CEV
God gives us strength not of our own ability but by His ability.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength. 30 Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NLV
When we feel like the rope or the cable that is holding our world together is beginning to fray, God is there! He gives strength to us when we become weary. When we come to our end, He is just beginning.
Tensile strength. How much can we take without breaking? God wants us to lay down our rope or cable and let Him use his.
“I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV