Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
CONTEXT
Chapter 4 of Ecclesiastes is about the selfishness and futility of working hard to achieve success and accumulate stuff. In the middle of this passage Solomon brings up a refreshing reminder to invest in relationships.
Bible Reading
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Devotion
Think of a time when someone close to you encouraged you through a difficult time. Maybe it was someone who helped you study for a class, or cared for you when you were sick. It could have been a friend who helped you complete a project. The cure to selfishness is to intentionally become involved with and love those around you. God is relational: God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit are united in a perfect relationship. God also desires perfect relationship with us. Because God relates to Himself and to us, we are designed to do the same: live in relationship with God and with those around us. This provides strength and resilience we cannot have alone.
The Big Question
Who was it that encouraged you? Who has walked through a season of life with you? If possible, call them and tell them why you’re thankful for them and how you have been blessed by going through life together. Then take some time to thank God that you have been in His image and designed to walk through this life relationally.
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.