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 4:7-12

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A Cord of Three Strands
By Jennifer Kane

There once was a fellow who worked all alone,
He stacked up his money, he polished his stone.
He huffed and he puffed, but his joy ran away—
For what good’s the treasure with no friend to stay?

Now two, oh that’s better! Two travel with cheer,
If one takes a tumble, the other is near.
They walk side by side, they laugh and they sing,
Two hearts beating stronger than one lonely thing.

But three—now that’s power! A cord woven tight,
It’s strong in the day and it’s strong in the night.
With God in the center, the bond will not break,
A friendship unshakable, for His great name’s sake.

So don’t go alone, don’t wander or roam,
Life’s better together, with love as your home.
For one may grow weary, and two may go long,
But three with the Lord will keep going strong!

~~~~~

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Think of your favorite cartoons. Beyond the bright colors and hilarious antics, many of them share a powerful, central theme: no hero succeeds alone. They might have the raw power or the special talent, but it is always their friends who lift them up, encourage them, and help them save the day. This isn’t just good storytelling; it’s a profound truth woven into the very fabric of creation by God Himself.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes paints a bleak picture of a life lived alone. The solitary man toils endlessly, but his work has no meaning because he has no one to share it with. His success and his struggles are his alone, and it’s a “miserable business.”

This is where our cartoon heroes teach us a valuable lesson. Imagine Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender trying to defeat the Fire Lord without Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko. He would have been overwhelmed, discouraged, and alone. His friends provided strength, wisdom, healing, and, most importantly, the unwavering belief that he could succeed.

Or consider Buzz Lightyear and Woody in Toy Story. They begin as rivals, but when they learn to work together, they become an unstoppable team. They literally “help the other up” when one falls (often out of a moving vehicle!). Their friendship transforms their world from one of competition and fear into one of community and belonging.

These stories resonate so deeply because they reflect a divine principle: we are made for connection. We are designed to have “a good return for our labor” by sharing our burdens and our joys. A friend is the one who picks us up when we fall (v. 10), who provides comfort in the cold seasons of life (v. 11), and who stands with us against the attacks we face (v. 12).

But why is this desire for companionship so innate to us? It is because we are created in the image of a relational God.

Before time began, God existed in perfect, loving community as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They existed in a relationship of mutual love, honor, and joy. We were never meant to be solitary because our Creator is not solitary. Our need for “the power of friendship” is a echo of His own nature.

This is the beautiful meaning behind the “cord of three strands” (v. 12). While it applies to the strength of human relationships, it finds its ultimate fulfillment when we invite God into our friendships. A marriage, a friendship, or a family is strongest when it is woven together with God as the central, strengthening strand. He is the unbreakable bond that holds us together through every season.

So lets look at three things to apply the three cords into our lives:

Look Up: Thank God that He is not a distant, solitary force, but a communal God of love who designed you for relationship.

Look In: Are you trying to “toil alone”? Where in your life are you resisting community, trying to handle your burdens by yourself? Invite God into that solitude.

Look Out: Who is your “Sokka” or “Woody”? Who are the people God has placed in your life to help you up? Take a moment to appreciate them, and perhaps even tell them. Furthermore, who can you be a friend to? Who needs you to be the one to help them up today?

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Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image, not to walk alone, but to share life in love, friendship, and community. Lord, remind us that we are strongest when we are bound together with You at the center. Forgive us for the times we try to carry burdens by ourselves, and teach us instead to lean on the people You have placed in our lives. Help us to be faithful friends—lifting others up, offering warmth in seasons of cold, and standing strong together against life’s challenges. May every strand of our relationships be woven tightly with Your presence, making them unbreakable through Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

September 17 2025