Father, in deciding to work on things for Sunday I have not taken time to sit down with You. Thank You, for patience and forgiveness and grace and mercy. Where would I be without You?

Mark 6:7-13 (<<click to read the passage)

The old adage “Two heads are better than one” is very true for many things in life. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon and this is what he had to say, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12a NLT

Working together, or as we would say in today’s vernacular, “I got your back” is beneficial on many fronts. Jesus could have covered more territory in today’s passage by sending the disciples out individually but saw great advantage in them pairing up. My Life Application Study Bible says, “(1) They could strengthen and encourage each other. (2) The could provide comfort in rejection. (3) They could give each other discernment, and few mistakes would be made. (4) They could stir each other to action as a counter to idleness or indifference.”

Now there may be times when there is no option but to go it alone but if we have a choice, a partner can make all the difference in the world!

Lord Jesus, I am grateful for my partner – my wife! – and I am also grateful for the many people in my churches who work with me side by side in ministry that brings glory to Your name and Your kingdom! “Our strength comes from [You] but [You meet] many of our needs through our teamwork with others.” May it be so. Amen!

Mar 20th, 2019, Wed, 8:14 pm