Ecclesiastes 4:7-12...relationships...

Today's verses are Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 which read...

"Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor.

Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, 'And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?'

This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.

But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
 

A longer passage but I think a central theme.  From the beginning of the passage the focus is on some type of relationship and even though this passage is used at weddings and attached to the marriage union, it speaks of any close relationship. 

Our relationships help us work and also see the value of the work we are doing. 
Our relationships help us when we fall physically and the help we need to get back up and going. 
Our relationships help us to feel the comfort that we need emotionally, the warm of human compassion.  
And our relationships help us with the resistance that comes at us from the world and from the evil one, someone to be accountable to and encourage to do what is right rather than what is wrong.

So... help with work or our livelihood; help when we physically fall; help when we need human comfort; and help with the resistance of evil.  Relationships are very important to our lives.  How are yours?

When is the last time that you thanked that person that was there when you worked, or when you physically needed help, or when you needed comfort through an emotionally hard time, or when you where faced with a difficult decision and that person pointed you to do what was right?  If those relationships are so valuable by the writings of Scripture, do you treat them that way?

It is always good to look at a passage from not the receiver end of this but also the giver of this.  You have the opportunity to be that person for someone else.  To be that worker or to be that one to physically help or emotionally help, or to be that person who gives support to do what is right.  That could be you.

The writer ends with the 3 strands.  An extra strand that makes everything even stronger.  For me that strand is the Lord Jesus Christ.  If I include Him into those relationships, I have just increased the strength and power and effectiveness to a number or power than cannot be measured.

Take a look at those relationships around you today.  Probably different people in each area and make a note to thank them for what they do for you and then pray to the 3rd strand for them.

Pastor Adam