Writing to Timothy, Paul described the church of God as the ground and pillar of truth. Combining other passages, we can equally describe the church as pillar of strength as we shall see presently. One of my sons needed direction on what to do with an acquaintance who was becoming suicidal in his thoughts. My first reaction was to ask after his parents. I learned that he has lost his father. The stepfather cared little about him. The reason I asked for his parents was because family members are about the surest support group we can get in times of crises. Your family holds it as a sacred obligation to look after your welfare. This is a good reason to take the advice of Isaiah seriously, that we do not hide from our flesh. I believe that the prophet was talking about family members.

Combining other passages, we can equally describe the church as pillar of strength as we shall see presently….There is strength in togetherness.

Without headway through family members, I asked my son which church the young man identifies with. Unfortunately, he is not one who has made a habit of the church. I was to recommend him to see his pastor. Usually, when people become suicidal it is because they have wrong perspective. A pastor can help put things in proper perspective for people, using the word of God as the guide. In addition to what a pastor would do, brethren in a particular local assembly can come in handy as an effective support group, much like what we enjoy from natural family. Do not forget that the church is the family of God; and members look after one another. In our text, Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “support the weak”. Those who do not belong to a church or pay lip service to the household of faith rob themselves of support. There is a reason why we are warned not to neglect to assemble with others in worship. There is strength in togetherness.