TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

by Tammy Phillips
December 14, 2021

“Two [are] better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 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.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm [alone]?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV)

God’s timing is always perfect.  This encouragement could not have been a better on-time message for me. I was kind of done.  I was wandering back into my turtle shell of “safety.”  I just wanted to be alone.  If I was alone, then nobody could hurt nor disappoint.  I could not hurt nor disappoint anyone if I withdrew into my shell and remained silent.  This lasted for most of a whole day.  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me…

Two are better than one because…

1. “They have a good reward for their labor.”

Two working together will always accomplish more than one working alone. 
Two can bounce ideas off each other. 
Two can cut labor time in half.
Two can produce more than one.
Two can “bear each other’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2)

2. “If they fall, one will lift up his companion.”

Two knitted together can help each other.
If one associate is cast down ,  the other fellow can lift the spirit of his ally.  
If one is discouraged, the other can offer encouragement.
If one is weak, they are united and  can offer the other strength.

3. “But woe to him [who is] alone when he falls, For [he has] no one to help him up.”

Everybody needs help.  We were not mean to do life alone.  Alone is where the enemy wants us.

“[As] iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)

When one falls into sickness, lack, error, offense, or sin, the other is there to help, pray for, and encourage the other.  We are there for each other to turn the proverbial frown upside for our friend.   We are there to help one another stand in truth and to strengthen one other.

4. “If two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm [alone]?”

Two provide comfort each other. When we become indifferent, begin to waver, drift into alone or from love,  it is our siblings in Christ who hold us accountable. 

“And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. “ (Hebrews 10:24-25 CSB)

It’s the fire of the Holy Spirit inside of one that stirs the waning fire in the other and warms the soul. 

5. “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.”

Two can withstand.  There is safety in two.  When Satan comes knocking, it is good to know that someone else has “got your back.” As Christians we travel and traverse this life together.  We resist together and we are stronger for it.  We are not ignorant of his schemes. Together, we pray believe and withstand him. We stand together. We remain, endure, continue, abide, persist, be steadfast and  stand upright, together.

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NKJV)

6. “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Add God to the mix and two are not easily torn apart nor pulled away.  The cord is solid.

“Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to find a friend (or friends) who will stick with you through thick and thin; ups and downs;  good times and bad;  peace and battles; victories and defeats. I enCOURAGE you to find a friend who will pray with you and who will stand with you. I enCOURAGE you to find a friend who will always welcome God to be right in the middle of your journey. 

I am so thankful for my husband, my sisters, and brothers in Christ who I walk with through this life.