Yesterday we spoke of a lonely man today we continue along that train of thought, with the importance of a friend. Solomon shows in his wisdom today the need for a friend, and the sadness of a man with no friend. Why you ask; if you have no friend, there will be no one to lift you up when you fall. Let’s look for a moment at today’s scripture Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Today’s passage may be one of the more popular ones from the book of Ecclesiastes, perhaps not as well known as Chapter 3 verses 1-8, but well known never the less. And for good reason in these 4 short verses, Solomon lays down simple truths about friendship. If someone falls a friend can lift them up. If someone is cold, a friend can add warmth. It is difficult to overpower a man if his friend is with him. Truths today just as they were over three thousand years ago.
Whenever I hear the word friends, I think of an old Petra song, from one of the first Christian albums I ever owned (Petra Praise The Rock Cries Out). The song went something like this:
Friends (All in the family of God) Words and music by John Wierick
Friends, love one another
Friends, sisters and brothers
Friends, all in the family of God
Friends are a gift from above
Friends are devoted and true
Then when the goin' gets tough
They're lovin', carin' and prayin' for you
Although far from thousands of years old, this song also offers truth’s about real friendship. We throw the term friend around freely sometimes, yet real friendship is something deeper. Will your friend lift you up when you fall, are they devoted and true. When tough times come, are your friends loving, caring, and praying for you.
There are a few people out there I call true friends. One lives out in New York, and I haven’t seen him in at least 5 years. Yet about a year ago, when I was laid off, with a broken car, this friend was there for me, praying, and offering me money he barely had. If I had an emergency in my life, I believe he would come if I needed him. And I would do the same for him. Truly two are better then one and friends are a gift from above.
As an action point today, let me ask you if you have close friends in your life. Someone who holds you accountable, someone who you could discuss anything with. Is there someone who would lift you up if you fall, someone who will stand with you so you cannot be overcome? Christian, we are not meant to walk this life alone. Perhaps you don’t have earthly friends to walk with you in this way. Remember the words of the hymnist: We have a friend in Jesus.
