Morning Devotional 012626 Bound Together in Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

January 26, 2026

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. 10 If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone? 12 Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn’t easily snap.

Good Morning! Bind us together with love.

As I sit in my warm house, looking at the snow-covered ground, I recognize how many people upon whom I depend, and I thank God for all who help me sustain my life. I can’t imagine how those early pioneers who worked day and night to provide for their own needs managed to survive. 

The bindings of our community of faith mirror the bindings of our physical community. Each of us has a role to play. It matters not whether our role is big or small; it is necessary. This conversation often takes me back to cooking. Often, the ingredient in the smallest amount is the one that makes the recipe complete. Today, I want to use a different lens to consider how God uses all to make the community complete. 

When piecing together a quilt, you have a variety of fabrics for the top, a single piece of fabric for the backing, and, of course, the batting that is unseen once the quilt is completed. All of this is held together by the binding stitched around the edges. Each part is important. The quilt top often gets the glory because it is bright and colorful. Without the backing, we would feel and see all the seams necessary to piece together the beautiful top. We can’t forget the significance of the unseen batting. Without the batting, how would we stay warm on a cold winter’s night? The more batting that is included, the warmer the quilt. Finally, it is the binding that holds everything together. 

In our community of faith, we have those who draw attention, like the preachers, musicians, and teachers. Next, we have those who manage the details to ensure everything runs smoothly. Those who are often unseen but work in the background are essential to the work of the church. Last, but not least, God binds us together with love.

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for binding us together so that we may complete your work. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God created us to depend on one another. 

We are bound together in Love! Pastor Liz