OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL READING MAY 19, 2025, MONDAY ODB MESSAGE
Our Daily Bread Monday 19th May 2025 Devotional TOPIC: Better Together
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-44
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KEY VERSE: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:10
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
INSIGHT FOR TODAY
Ecclesiastes portrays the sobering realism about life on earth “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:3; 4:1)—that is, life experienced within the limits of our humanity. “The Teacher” (1:1) exposes the futility of “chasing after the wind” (4:4, 6, 16)—the vapor of what we often assume will bring fulfillment—work, wealth, power, prestige, pleasure, learning, and more. He’s resigned to our powerlessness in the face of oppression, poverty, illness, and death.
In today’s passage, the Teacher contrasts the harsh reality of those who are utterly alone in this “meaningless” existence with those who have a helpful companion on life’s journey (4:9-12). On this side of eternity, a true friend can make all the difference. From end to end, the Bible instructs us to care for our neighbor as ourselves, even if that neighbor is someone we don’t know or one we might view as unworthy of our help (Deuteronomy 22:1-3; Luke 10:25-37).
Our Daily Bread Monday 19th May 2025 Devotional MESSAGE
Meggie’s ten years of drug use kept her in and out of jail. Without a life change, she’d soon return. Then she met Hans, a former addict who almost lost his hand when a vein ruptured due to his substance abuse. “That was the first time I cried out to God,” Hans said. God’s answer prepared him to be a peer specialist for an organization that coordinates recovery for jailed addicts.
Called Stone Soup, the program is helping an American jail provide formerly imprisoned people with support to reenter their communities. Through the plan, Meggie moved into a sober-living house and has stayed sober. Hans now helps her and others with job placement, educational options, treatment, and family resources—a coordinated approach.
The Bible describes the strength of wise partnering: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). However, “pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (v. 10).
Like the “Stone Soup” folktale, where a hungry traveler invites townspeople to each share one ingredient to make a delicious soup for all, the Bible confirms we’re stronger and better together (v. 12). God’s plan is for us to live in community, helping others and receiving help in return. That’s no fairy tale; it’s truth for life.
REFLECT: How can pooling our resources help us serve people better? What can you give to make a “stone soup” for your community?
PRAY: Please bless me, dear God, to join others to help well.
Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet. (Our Daily Bread 19th May 2025 Devotional)
