"Two are better than one"

Good Morning,

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

These few verses speak loudly to me. What they tell me is that I NEED YOU!!!

I think that, perhaps, that short statement, those few words, might just say it all. I mean, at least in my mind and heart what is being told to us is that standing alone, "going it alone", trying to live our lives alone is not in our best interests. (Wow! Is THAT a politically correct statement or what? The words ridiculous, crazy, insane, and some others came into my mind rather than "in our best interests", but I went with the milder verbiage.) Now, it seems that this is simply general common sense if we think about it...doesn't it? Yet, in some areas of our lives we often choose to strike out on our own without the help or assistance of a trusted friend, a loving brother in the Lord.

"Two are better than one..." Nothing could be truer. Especially when it comes to spiritual matters in our lives. This is the area where we are the most vulnerable, I think, when we make the decision to NOT bring in someone to help us in our struggles. Oh, yes, we ALL struggle from time to time and I know that we are all attacked by the enemy in many ways. Keep in mind, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." In our spiritual war against the devil and his many assaults on us, being alone is often, if not always, an exercise in futility.

I know that these verses probably deserve a long, detailed message that goes into many details about how "Two are better than one." But, I also know that often just bringing Scripture to mind is enough for many of us to grasp the true meaning of what God is telling us.

"Two are better than one." That is so very true. In every area of our lives. Being alone, living life without the help of a loving and caring brother or sister...or many loving and caring brothers and sisters...seems to me to be ludicrous and even futile. But that first statement in what we read today isn't all that there is for us. The writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon?) ends this short section with another statement that is of equal or perhaps of even more significance. The last sentence tells us, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." I think we can take that any number of steps beyond 3 or 4 or even 50 or 100.

I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "United we stand, divided we fall." Might have been someone else, but that's not important (and I hope someone will correct it if it's wrong!). The meaning and relevance of that statement seems to have come directly from these verses in Ecclesiastes.

Alone? We are on the road to failure in almost every area of our lives.

Together with others? We every opportunity to succeed at every turn.

Why in the world would we fail to see this? Why in the name of the Lord do we so often choose to walk alone?

Finally today I would like to ask every one of us who might read these words, especially those who find themselves alone in their struggles...ANY struggles at all, whether spiritual or otherwise...to reach out to someone who can walk the path of life with them and be that other "strand" in the rope we are weaving. Also, I would like to ask every one of us to seek out someone or even someones who seem to be in need of another strand in his or her life.

I believe that what God is telling me this morning is that, yes, I should seek others to be with me and help me as I go through my life, but I also should actively search out those who might need me to help them.

So...if you need me to help you, call me. And...don't be surprised to get a message or call from me. Let us not take this lightly, please. We have a real and true responsibility and duty to be available for one another, I believe that with all my heart. So, I'll say once again...

If you need me, call me or message me. If I need you I will call or message you.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David