There are two passages assigned for today!
SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12]
Life is really hard; some people work hard for nothing, other people do nothing for work, yet have abundance.
Injustice, inequity, cruelty, hardship, suffering, futility, loneliness, betrayal, violence… what’s the point of it all?
The Teacher comes to the conclusion that the best thing we can find in this hard, hard life, is companionship.
Even though we may suffer, or spend our lives chasing futility, at least we can find comfort, security and pleasure in the company of others.
I have heard of couples using this passage as a wedding text, a reminder that it was not good for Adam to be alone, so that God created an equal partner in Eve so that they might do life together.
They had noted that the third strand in the triple-braided cord is the Lord, and that their marriage is secured by Him.
In this world, one of the hardships we face is relational breakdown and loneliness.
We can be surrounded my many people, yet feel very alone.
As if no one knows us, really knows us, or will stand by us to the bitter end.
Was Jesus lonely in this way?
Though He was surrounded by 12 disciples, as well as many others, was His cord strong enough for the hardships of life that He would endure?
Jesus goes through the meaninglessness of life, suffers and dies without legitimate cause.
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. [John 16:32]
Are we ever truly alone?
Jesus did not put the weight of His confidence in His disciples, He knew that they would let Him down eventually.
The same is true for whatever human partners or friends we may have in our lives, even our spouses.
Having people in our lives is good, but they cannot take the place of God; in time they will not be there (for whatever reason), and at those times we need the security of knowing we are still not alone.
We are a part of a quadruple-braided cord – along with me is the Father (God over me), the Son (God with me), and the Spirit (God in me).
I am surrounded, I am supported, I am secure, I am strong!
A triple-braided cord may not be easily broken, but a quadruple-braided cord with God will never be broken.
Nothing can separate me from His love, nothing in all creation.
Like Jesus, through all my trials and hardships, I can still say, “I am not alone!”
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for reminding me that I am not alone. Father, You are over me; Jesus, You are with me; Spirit, You are in me. My cord will never be broken, no matter what happens!