On a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? Eccl 4:11 NLT
The past couple of nights has made me realize how old I am getting.
Though not the most extreme temperature on the planet, still 11 degrees in East Texas is bone chilling to we southerners.
As this blue-norther started blowing in, my body began to ache like I’ve never felt before.
My shoulders and elbows ache; my neck and back.
I can only attribute it to getting older.
Linda has also had her share of aches and pains but most of her problem has been in keeping warm.
It’s a good thing we have each other to keep warm and to have someone to complain to about the weather.
But our verse deals with more than just cold weather and keeping warm.
The whole section says two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. 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. Eccl 4:9-12 NLT
It is easier to keep a righteous relationship with God in the presence of others trying to do the same.
We help each other in our struggles and victories.
We encourage one another to get up and keep going.
Another way the Bible puts it is this, As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend. Prov 27:17 NLT
So my encouragement to you is to surround yourself with other Christians in church, in groups, and together you’ll face the struggles, persecutions, trials, and tribulations.
But together you’ll also encourage to stand strong in the word, to keep the faith, and to grow in the Lord.