The Power of Two

(Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

10 For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

11 Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?

12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

 

     Today, I would like to share how powerful having both of the parents (the husband and the wife) living and working together for the good of family's home and its welfare. Not because this is ideal, but because we are design to it from the very beginning. I, indeed, salute all the single parents who are bringing their children with decency and decently. As the Bible has told us from the creation of the world, which also included the creation of first human being. God knows that a man needs a companion then as he said Genesis 2:18 "... It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him." Every man, therefore, have their destined woman of their own because God created them from man's bone. Genesis 2:21-22, "So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was asleep, he took part of the man's side and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man and he brought her to the man."

 

A. Doubled the benefits.

     In the book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, it shows the importance of having two people than one. In verse 9 says "Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor." Although it doesn't mention that two people have to work together, it still suggest the benefits of doing things with someone else. We reap MORE benefits from our labor. Couples, who are sharing responsibilities in taking care of the family and its needs together, will accomplish more. Your joint effort will benefit the family as a whole. What an answered prayer if the wife received a hand from her husband in doing some of the household chores like when he sets up the dining table while she cooks a delicious lunch, he maps the floor after she sweeps it, he takes the toddlers to bath while she prepares the children clothes, and many more. Not just in their day to day home works, but even in raising their children. He (mostly) works to bring an income to the family while she keeps the home in order and clean, he disciplines the children (if necessary) and she explains to them translating into a wisdom with love, he leads the family in devotion while she leads the quiet time, and the list goes on.

 

B. Companionship.

     Raising a family requires lots of hardwork, energy, wisdom but of course lots of fun too. It is exhausting but fulfilling when we accomplished something like when we see our children graduating from their studies or received some honors in schools or excel in sports, arts and sciences. We both share the same sense of accomplishment and pride of our children. However, it is inevitable that we encounter failure at least once in our lifetime.  We fail to provide enough for the family needs which sometime breaks our heart seeing our children lacking even the basic needs. We fail to raise our children in becoming a better person. We fail to support our children morally and spiritually. Different situations, different failures, different struggles.

     Having both of the parents helping one another in this difficult times is direly needed. When you are emotionally drained, there your spouse to give you encouragements. When the provisions to families are not enough, the other is helping a way to augment for the family needs. When your child needs your attention or discipline, your partner can attend to in your behalf. When you are sick and tired, they becomes your comfort and strength. We need someone that we can share our burdens, our failures, our struggles. We need to have someone to fellowship with, more than a spouse, a friend, or a family. We need a FELLOW in our lost SHIP; to be our compass when we lost our direction, to be our eyes when we lost our vision, to be our captain when we lost our command, and to be our care when we are wounded. With all this mess, it is a big challenge is we are alone as Ecc 4:10 said "For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up."

 

C. Avoiding Sin through Love 

     Challenges in our marriage are so common and getting bigger and bigger as the world advances. The power of today's technologies exaggerate them more. The busy and demanding world and its lifestyle even contribute to its destruction. Be mindful and watchful of all these. We need to live with our promise to our spouse the very first day we swear with each other "for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, till death do us part", moreover, no man can separate what God has joined. Ecc 4:11 "Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?"

     Couples are designed by God to warm each other. Sexually, both has to enjoy what God has designed for them to express their love when they are together alone as a procreation rather than recreation. Mentally, both are torque to light up with wisdom when one is darkened by demands. Emotionally, both are energy reactors to boost up the enthusiasm inside and bring it into outside. Both are designed to complement each other; help one another; deeply love them, in love with them, loved by them, unconditionally. You, therefore, are not advised to fall out of love rather stick with it. Keep the fire burning and share the love with the whole family.

 

D. Family Protection

     Beware that the modern world where we are living now is very destructive to family's core values and integrity. Legalizing all sort of separations of couples, legalizing the self-permitted abortion, legalizing almost everything that family should value and give the utmost importance. That is simply because of human nature of selfishness thinking nothing else other than themselves. In this aspect that we, couples, have to be alert at all times. We have to protect the family that we are building with all our wisdom, strength, and love. We have to participate in providing the needs of the family, materially, emotionally, physically, morally, and spiritually.  We guard our family especially our children as they are our future generations.

     Ecc 4: 12 "Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken." This verse reminds us, that at the very least, loving couples when you are together will be able to fight against these threats in our marriage and in family. However, we need more than that. We need an intercessor from our Creator, the one who designed what a family is. We need His Divine intervention in our family. It may seems to be an options, but for me, it's is a valuable promise. Keeping our family under the wings of our God will definitely keep us from destruction. These words says we are definitely going to encounter these threats but with the joined hands, you will overcome it. However, with God, our family will always be under His protection.

 

     Couples, lead your family and build a strong family values, impart and develop a selfless relationship to your children, and influence them with unconditional love. And as a must, embrace them with God's Loving Arms.