Message from Scripture: 9/3/2020

Our message from Scripture today is Eccl. 4:12; “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Are you familiar with the saying, “There is safety in numbers?” By and large, this is a true statement. In our reading from Ecclesiastes, a traveler who is alone is considered vulnerable to attacks from another. We recall the account in Luke 10:30, of the man who was overtaken by robbers, and only by the kindness of the good Samaritan was able to be rescued. Another analogy to this principle is offered by Solomon when he adds how much stronger a three-ply cord is over one that is only a single strand.

Obviously, the benefits of companionship, and especially from a spiritual perspective, fellowship, are important and vital for us. God created us as social beings, not just from a physical perspective, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually. We are at our weakest in fending off the attacks of Satan when we isolate ourselves, when we stand alone, when we don’t have others to help encourage and remind us of what is really important.

Certainly, the early church understood this, as Luke reminds us how they were committed to fellowship (Acts 2:42). We see it when the apostles were told not to preach in Jesus’ name anymore, and being released from the Sanhedrin, they went to their brothers and sisters to pray (Acts 4:23), and that as a congregation they were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32). Even the Hebrew writer encourages us not to neglect meeting together, as there is strength in our numbers together (Heb. 10:22-25).

We are so grateful for what our church family means to us. How important we are to each other. When we join together, we can overcome Satan’s attacks; apart from each other, we are more vulnerable to fall. Today, let’s thank God for the fellowship He offers us, and stand together in living for Christ, for eternity. God bless.

Robert