One of the Old Testament’s marvelous wisdom books contains a saying penned by King Solomon that proved a big encouragement to me this past week. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 offers this inspired observation:

“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)

I see this verse as a perfect description of my marriage to Cynthia. We have indeed walked in partnership together for over thirty-eight years, and we have been blessed with a good reward for our toil. Five kids, thirteen moves, a couple of wars, military and government careers, and now full-time ministry may sound like a lot to navigate, or in some cases, survive. Looking back, it is somewhat astonishing—even with a few hints of exhaustion—that we have experienced so much together! The world would tell us to retire now and get some rest!

But for the last thirty years of our marriage journey, we have been walking with Christ as regenerate believers, and because of Him, we have not been unduly burdened, nor have we been asked to do more than we could handle. Instead, we have experienced the indescribable threefold cord concept of strength because our relationship with Jesus has been multiplying the synergy of what was at first just the two of us. With the Lord Jesus Christ holding us together in ways we never imagined, the pre-salvation “two are better than one” concept looks almost like an old black and white film compared to the full, rich color of our blessed efforts with Christ at the center of our marriage.

This past week potently proved the powerful truth of Solomon’s wisdom because Cynthia was there for me, “lifting me up.” When I felt the weight of pressures and problems I could do little to fix—namely the national election results plus more local mandates over rising Covid-19 cases, she came alongside. Cynthia knows me so well. As such, she is always ready and able to support me when I feel somewhat helpless. My dear wife prays for me. She reminds me of God’s goodness and grace, of His covering of our many years together. She shores up my faith with both encouragement and admonition. She is Christ to me when I need to see His character.

Solomon’s wisdom is by no means constrained to marriage; it is for all believers to consider as we together navigate a world that is more and more hostile to the truth of Christ found in Scripture. We truly do need each other to keep growing in grace and progressing to the finish line of glorification, wherever and whenever that may be. As an example of biblical fellowship, I am grateful for the four other GCS staff pastors because we very transparently lean on each other while also lifting one another. I think this pleases our Lord, and I pray it sets a tone for the entire church.

Colossians 3:12–17 seems a more full, New Testament version of Solomon’s ancient wisdom regarding helping fellow travelers in a manner pleasing to God:

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,     humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:12-17)

In this most challenging season in which we find ourselves, let’s fellowship together like perhaps we never have before. Christ will be pleased when we do!