PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 133
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
In what follows Genesis 3, we see the breakdown of God’s family.
From the division of Adam, Eve and their children to the division of Babel.
Family breakdown, separating into like-minded tribes that attack others.
Jesus came to break down walls of division and reunite God’s family.
When the high priest was anointed, the oil settled down onto his robes.
And on to his breastplate, which held the 12 stones for each tribe.
The oil represents the Spirit, spreading God’s blessing over all the people.
“For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:3)
Unity in God’s family is not a unity of sameness, but unity among differences.
It is not a big deal when a like-minded church gets along; this is not spiritual.
It is spiritual, a sign of God’s blessing, when people who disagree are united in Jesus.
Jesus followers are to be peace-makers, and this assumes lack of peace.
To love those whose culture or practice or views differ from ours.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
PRAYER
Lord, help me to seek and celebrate unity and love with those who are different from me. This is the real unity that you love to bless!
Living together in unity. Wow! That is a gift of he Lord. It is He who is the source of this togetherness. And I need His help in my efforts to keep that unity as far as it depends upon me by loving, apologizing, reconciling and forgiving. This is the family of God.
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Precious, healing, refreshing – pictures that come to mind. Before regular showers, itchy scalps from infrequent washing – where soothed by oil – so the picture is one of great pleasure/good feeling when people live in ‘unity’. And it is – even in strange places when you don’t know anyone and you come alongside people and you find you have a common bond of faith – how encouraging it is – especially in the face of strangeness or challenge – like a catastrophe. We can embrace each other and feel safe – able to express fears and anxieties – and accept or overlook things that are different. I pray that we may have unity – which is difficult when we just focus on the differences but not on the unity we have in Christ. Jesus is the center if we are to have any unity at all. Pray that we all may see Jesus and that we accept that from each other even as we are different.