Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Reading that verse you are probably thinking I am going to talk about marriage. It is a verse that often gets used during wedding ceremonies. It is actually a verse my wife and I have hanging up on the wall at home.Today I want us to take a moment and look not only at that verse but a couple before it. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them 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 easily broken. able
When I read these verses and reflected on them there were three things that stood out to me. The first is in verse 10, …”If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” When tragedy strikes in our life people, families, communities take a fall and they need to know they aren’t alone. We all need to know that even though we have all fallen we can help each other up. Ever seen two people on the floor – one helps pull the other up then vice versa. That is what we can do when we go through tragedies together.
Sadly when tragedy or suffering happens we want to pull inward. We want to be alone and away from people, we isolate ourselves. That is not good for us to do! We need to come together. Whether is be together at church, a bible study or just a couple friends getting together to help each other we need community. We need one another to help us through our tough times. We need to love, comfort and support one another.
The second thing that stood out to me from these verse is the second part of verse 12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” When we go through times of suffering and tragedy we need to help each other be on the defensive. No one likes when a tragedy happens, no one that is except for satan. When tragedy strikes the devil starts to lick his chops. He see it as an opportunity to start chipping away at Christians. He uses fear, pain, doubt, anger and frustration to drive us away from Christ. He hopes tragedy will make us quit reading our Bible, quit praying and quit going to church. The truth is tragedies can either push us away from Christ or push us closer to Him. It is much easier to move closer to Christ in times like this TOGETHER. To pray together, to pray for each other. To share scripture with one another and to talk about God’s promises, hope and peace!
The final thing that stood out to me is the “wedding quote,” “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” You can have all the friends in the world or be the most liked person in town but if you don’t share with friends a bond in Christ – you will be broken. If you don’t know the Hope/Promise/Peace/Comfort that comes from a personal relationship with Christ…then tragedy and suffering start to seem like too much! When you unite with a brother in sister in Christ as you go through your suffering I promise you something….Matthew 18:20 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” When you come together with friends in Christ and spend time focusing on the Lord, He is there with you!
I pray as you go through times of tragedy that no one will go it alone!