Ecclesiastes 4 - 1.18.23

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV

“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 quickly broken.”

Observation-What does it say?

“Without a friend, accomplishments are vain.” (enduringword.com-David Guzik)

There are advantages to mutual assistance. (Christianity.com -Matthew Henry commentary)

Understanding-What does it mean?

We were not meant to live this life alone.

King Solomon continues to talk about how meaningless and vain laboring for accomplishments are apart from the Lord AND other people.

What’s the point of being the richest man on earth if you couldn’t be generous with that money? What’s the point of working so hard for accomplishments and success if you had no friends to share those joys with? What’s the point of having so many gifts, talents and wisdom if you didn’t have a church body to share them with or a greater purpose to use them for?

Life Application:

Don’t do life alone. Share your life with others.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Do you have a 1 on 1 discipleship/accountability partner through this 28 days of prayer and fasting?

I have been meeting with someone since the beginning of this month. Our times together have been a huge blessing in terms of discovering a NEW deepened friendship relationship, praying for each other, keeping each other accountable to our goals, carrying each other’s burdens AND celebrating our accomplishments!

Our journey in the Lord is definitely meant to be shared with someone. God never intended us to live the Christian faith as a lone wolf.

I want to challenge you that if you haven’t been meeting with your 1 on 1 or have not reached out to someone yet, there’s still time! It’s truly more fun and less lonely partnering with someone on this journey. I look forward to hearing all the testimonies that come about through it!

-Michelle Gaddi