God did not create man to be a “loner”, isolated, or solitary. He made us with a need for each other and to interact with each other. When we have needs we call upon the Lord for help and find Him “A very present help …” Psalm 46:1. Indeed the Psalmist boldly proclaims, “My help comes from the Lord …” in 121:2. However we find that often the help the Lord provides comes through the hands of another person. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 may be viewed as a business venture, or the obvious image of a husband and wife facing the problems and issues of life together we cannot ignore, but we also see a picture of travelers being attacked by robbers being able to withstand the attack because of their combined strength! And certainly we are like travelers going through this world who are attacked by the forces of a fallen world and the powers of evil but are strengthened by each other, and a third person (a larger number) makes us even more invincible. Proverbs 17:17 says, “… a brother is born for adversity”, Adam Clarke comments, “To support and comfort a brother in distress.” Then Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” And Paul gives us this word in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another …” To edify according to the Greek of the New Testament is to “be a house builder” or to “construct” (or figuratively to “confirm). It is God’s plan for us to receive help from one another and to give help to one another, both spiritually and naturally! Then 1 Corinthians 14:26 sets the order for the body of Christ that “all things be done for edification” that is to build up as in architecture. Yes God often uses people to accomplish His purposes!
Help from God through His people
By Rose Hill
Many seasons of trouble I’ve been through;
But help came in time from God through you.
Even when things disturb and annoy,
God makes it possible for me to have joy.
I rejoice in the Lord and take delight,
In all the things that are pure and right.
For this in my heart His peace will bring,
And I don’t have to worry about a thing.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.