Food for Thought – March/April 2011

We are definitely living in perilous times. As the evil in this world waxes worse and worse, what are we to do to cope with the increasingly difficult circumstances we face from day to day?  God tells us in verses 9-12 of Ecclesiastes chapter 4, that two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. If one falls, his companion will lift him up and they will be able to prevail against their enemies. He also says that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The unified effort of Christian brothers and sisters is not only the best defense in perilous times, it’s an effective offense as well.

In times like these, we need each other.

In times like these, sisters and brothers;

Be very sure, each one’s secure,

And help each other grip the Solid Rock.

 

When the death angel visits; when the boss says, “no work”; when your spouse says, “I’m leaving” and your life’s filled with hurt; when the Dr. says “cancer”, or if your children rebel; when your best friend betrays you or temptations knock you down………. In times like these, we need each other. In times like these, sisters and brothers; be very sure, each one’s secure, and help each other grip the Solid Rock.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Galatians 6:1-2 tells us “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”

One strand alone, when it’s put to the test and stretched to the limit finds it hard to resist the pressures of life that always exist; God says two strands are stronger, but three strands are best.  When the Holy Spirit of God brings together a family of faith, He provides the power as they battle the forces of evil. Just as Aaron and Hur held up the hand of Moses bearing the rod of God in Israel’s first battle/victory against the Amalekites, we must lift each other up if we are going to prevail in these perilous times.