[:en]Our Daily Verse (5/3/21)[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  ECCLESIASTES 4

“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

“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!” (Ecclesiastes 4:8)

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)

When Solomon looked around, he saw oppression.  The oppressed is powerless with without comfort.  He saw all the labor and achievements but without tranquility.  He saw a man without son or brother yet endlessly toiling depriving himself of enjoyment.  All these are meaningless under the sun.

WHY IS TWO BETTER THAN ONE? (vs. 9-12)

  1. They have a good return for their work.
  2. If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
  3. If the weather is cold, the two can lie down together and keep themselves warm.
  4. If one is being overpowered, the other can defend him

In this society, we cannot live in solitude.  We need friends at our side to help us, to accompany us, to encourage us and to defend us.  Are you a friend?

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE SERMON OF REV. JEREMIAH CHEUNG FROM CBCP (Christian Bible Church of the Philippines)

Solomon had 4 observations for a life of wisdom.

  1.  The oppressor and the oppressed (vs. 1-3) – Life without God ends in extreme helplessness.
  2. The competitive man and the lazy man (vs. 4-6) – A man who works hard with plenty of achievements are being envied by neighbors.
  3. The lonely worker (vs. 8-12) – A man all alone had no son nor brother.  But he labors hard and was never content with his wealth.  He came to realize why and for whom he was toiling and depriving himself of enjoyment.
  4. The powerful but vain man (vs. 9-12) – Although he has all power and authority but he needs a good friend and a companion to stay close to each other.

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD FRIEND:

  1.  He loves at all times and is a brother in times of adversity
  2.  He is a companion who is by your side
  3.  He is a colleague who works with you
  4.  He is someone who can defend you

CONCLUSION:  Without God, our lives are full of emptiness and helplessness.  But with God, we can experience fullness and satisfaction.

 

 

 

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