God Knows We Can't Do It Alone

“And friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them, and a friend will not say never ‘cause the welcome will not end….” – from “Friends” by Michael W. Smith

Read Philippians 2:19-30 

God Knows We Can’t Do It Alone

Independence.
Almost from its founding, American culture has placed great emphasis on being
independent. The Declaration of Independence, the document declaring the Colonies’
separation from England, was the first and perhaps most prominent example. But
it was hardly the last manifestation of our independent spirit.

Explorers and settlers who set out to discover the rest of what we now know as the United
States also were an independent lot. Inventors and entrepreneurs starting their
own businesses demonstrated high degrees of independence. To the point where
sayings like “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” were coined. (By the
way, have you ever tried to do that? Not the easiest thing to do!)

More recently, motivational speakers have promoted the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s
up to me.” Yes, there’s something to be said for independence. But from the
start, God determined that’s not the way He wanted things done.

After creating the first man, Adam – “God created man in His own image” – the Lord decided
a solo act wasn’t the way to go. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the
man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 1:27, 2:18).
This “suitable helper” turned out to be Eve. As they say, the rest is history.

Fast forward through time and God’s plan hasn’t changed much in terms of having His
people teamed up and working together. In today’s passage we see the apostle
Paul commending two men who were ministering with him, Timothy and
Epaphroditus.

Of Timothy, Paul writes, “I have no one else like him…. For everyone looks out for
his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has
proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the
work of the gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22).

And he refers to Epaphroditus (say that five times fast!) as “my brother, fellow
worker and fellow soldier…whom you [believers in Philippi] sent to take care of
my needs” (Philippians 2:25). Paul the apostle might have received star billing
whenever he came into town but couldn’t have accomplished what he did without
people like Timothy and Epaphroditus.

This foundational principle of togetherness and unity is a theme common throughout
the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament. When Jesus sent His disciples
on their first missionary excursions, He didn’t send them out one by one.
“Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority
over evil spirits” (Mark 6:7).

Perhaps the strongest admonition for mutual dependence in our worship of and service to
the Lord is found in Hebrews 10:24-25, which says, “And let us consider how we
may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another….”

Chew on those words for a few moments. Are there ever times in your life when you
lack motivation in your spiritual life, when it would help if someone were to
come along and “spur you on”? Do you ever feel discouraged, desperately in need
of some encouragement?

That's why today, as it was on the first moments of creation, God knew it was “not
good for man to be alone.” As King Solomon, the supposed writer of Ecclesiastes
observed:

“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!... Though one may
be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not
quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Independence isn’t necessarily bad, but even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. We all need someone
not only to help in carrying the load physically, but also to look out for our
best interests, provide helpful advice, and offer a listening ear when we need it.

Who is that friend for you? Better yet, who are those friends? If you don’t have
someone like that, pray and ask the Lord to send at least one your way. He
designed us to need one another – surely He’ll answer your prayer.