Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed-
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors-
and they have no comforter.
And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.
But better than both
is the one who has never been born,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.
And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Fools fold their hands
and ruin themselves.
Better one handful with tranquility
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless-
a miserable business!
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
Devotion
Looking back on his life, Solomon deems it meaningless. He has witnessed much oppression and suffering and believes that most people would be better off dead (4:1-3). In spite of this, he realizes it is better to go through life in relationship other people rather than alone. Verses 9-12 are read at many weddings: “Two are better than one…A chord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Solomon saw the value of deep, meaningful friendships. We need people in our lives to help us and encourage us. Good friendships are gifts from God because they help instill passion, purpose, and support when we need it most.
The Big Question
Who are the people in your life that you trust? Do you have a group of people or a single person you can rely on to walk with you through life? What can you do to develop such relationships?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.