In the 2016 Olympics, two runners gave the world a living picture of a principle Solomon described nearly 3,000 years earlier: “If they fall, one will lift up his companion” (Ecclesiastes 4:10).
During the women’s 5,000-meter race, New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin fell after a collision on the track. American runner Abbey D’Agostino was caught up in the accident and fell as well.
But instead of jumping up and racing ahead, Abbey reached down and helped Nikki to her feet. She could have focused only on her own race, but she chose compassion over competition.
A few moments later, Abbey discovered she was badly injured and could barely continue. The runner she had helped moments earlier was now the one offering encouragement and support.
Neither runner won a medal that day. Neither finished near the leaders. But both demonstrated a victory far greater than a place on the scoreboard.
In our text today, Solomon puts it this way:
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”
Probably the Preacher has in mind two workers in a field. One falls. And he has the other to lift him up. Physically and emotionally, there is value in two people working together. Not only is the work easier and more enjoyable, but one is there to help the other if an accident occurs.
Remember the commercial from the late 1980s by LifeCall, a medical alarm protection company? It contained a scene in which an elderly woman, Mrs. Fletcher, uses her medical alert pendant after having fallen in the bathroom and cries out, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” The system works, and the dispatcher informs her that he is sending help.
Unfortunately, because of its poor acting, the ad became more of a punchline than a reminder of a serious need.
But falling is no joke—not just physically, but spiritually. When we are down and struggling to get back up, we need help. We need assistance. We need another person.
God created us for community, formed us into His family, and redeemed us for relationships—with Him and with one another. We need each other. This passage reminds us of the value of the church family and the spiritual relationships we enjoy with other believers.
When we have fallen either willfully or unintentionally, we need someone to lift us up again. Some have fallen morally. Others doctrinally. And sometimes we have fallen emotionally into the pit of discouragement, despondency, and despair. When that occurs, we need your help.
Those who are stronger need to accept and help the weak. We need to be sensitive to the challenges our brethren face and considerate of their feelings, plight, problems, and hurts.
When a brother or sister slips into some sinful behavior, it is our responsibility to patiently, lovingly, and humbly seek to restore that one to faithfulness (Gal. 6:1-2). We should approach them, realizing that we, too, could have been the one who fell. And it may be us one day who will need the helping hand of another brother or sister to lift us up again.
Christianity is about mutual sharing. Not just of good times, food, and fun. But also in the difficulties of life. We can lift up our fallen brother or sister as we empathetically listen, pray together, and offer whatever assistance they need to get back on track.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
Be aware of those who have fallen. Be a friend. Be a brother or sister. Be sensitive to their needs. Refrain from harsh and censorious judgment.
Remember, we belong to one another. We have a fellowship that transcends physical ties. We have a bond that binds us by the blood of Christ. We’re in this together.
Together we can face any challenge, overcome any obstacle, and recover from any failure—because when one falls, another is there to lift him up.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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