Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9
In the darkest moments of our lives, we can often find ourselves feeling alone, as if no one can relate to what we are facing and no one can help us. This line of thinking is simply not true. God has given us the gift of community, people who can support and encourage us during difficult times. He has even given us people in our lives who can relate to the struggles we are facing. If we want to find peace in the middle of the storms of life that come our way, we need to turn first to God and then to the community of people whom He has given us.
This week, we have been looking at the story of Elijah during a time of despair in 1 Kings 19. Jezebel, the queen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had threatened his life, and he fled to the wilderness. This left him in a pit of deep despair. He had completely isolated himself from others, which must have been lonely. The truth is, we were not meant to live life alone. We were meant to live life alongside a community of Christ followers so that we could encourage each other and help each other during difficult times.
Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, wrote about the importance of living life alongside each other in Ecclesiastes 4. He wrote, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed" (verse 9). This Scripture passage clarifies that when we live life alongside others, we are stronger and more successful. Solomon continued in this chapter, giving examples as to why two people are better off than one. He said, “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help," and "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer" (verses 9-12). When we live life in community, we can help each other and strengthen each other. Simply put, we are stronger and more encouraged when we live life in community.
Praise God for the gift of community! He has given us other Christ followers to support, encourage, and strengthen each other. Are you in a place of desperation, much like Elijah? Do not walk through it alone. Turn to your community of Christ followers today. Don’t forget to offer help, support, and encouragement to them as well.
Who are the people God has placed in your life to live life alongside? Thank God for them now, one by one. Thank Him for giving you a community of people with whom you can walk this life and encourage and be encouraged. As you go throughout your day, don't forget to reach out to your community of people for encouragement and help.
Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
1Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. 2 So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. 3 But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.
4 Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
5 “Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.”
6 And yet,
“Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.”
7 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 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.
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