Two Are Better Than One

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Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Devotion:

            The wisdom of the author of Ecclesiastes resonated with me deeply in an incident that occurred about 12 years ago. I was walking with my dog and loyal companion, Marcy, on a chilly winter morning. A patch of ice sent me tumbling, and I lost consciousness upon impact. Marcy, sensing the urgency, dashed back to our apartment building and found someone to assist me. Thanks to the timely help of a dog and some kind strangers, I made a full recovery after a brief hospital stay.

            The wisdom of this ancient writer continues to hold true in our modern society, manifesting in various ways. We often don't hear about the countless instances where God's truth, as depicted in these verses, is at work. The media tends to focus on the negative, leaving the positive stories untold. I could share numerous heartwarming tales of couples who have stood by each other for years, their bonds unbreakable even in the face of death.

            Through this scripture, God is making clear to us that humans are social beings. We are not meant to live entirely on our own. Science has told us that even the tiniest newborns need human touch to survive. Likewise, throughout all stages of life, we need others to help us survive and thrive. This is why having a relationship with God is so vitally important. If we intimately know Jesus, then even if we are isolated, for whatever reason, we can rely on our God, who will be with us regardless.

Prayer:

            Lord, hear our hearts cry to you today. May we be blessed with friends who will not leave or forsake us. Help us, Lord, to know the blessing of your steadfast love that stays closer than a friend as we walk through the valleys and rough places of life. Grant that we may be that source of comfort for others as they walk through troubled times. Open our eyes to see the needs all around us and be open to receiving help in our hour of need. Amen.

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