“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” - Psalm 133:1
Whether you’re talking about brothers in a family or brothers in a church, living together in unity is truly good and truly pleasant. Of course, the opposite of that, strife between brothers, is really unpleasant and not at all good.
I’ve seen families divided asunder and destroyed, sometimes because of real and dreadful sins, but more often over the most insignificant slights and offenses. I’ve seen churches destroyed in the same way; sometimes because people have fallen into grave and open sin, but much more often because of seemingly insignificant differences and even imagined offenses.
The Psalm goes on to say, “It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!“ (verses 2 & 3)
Genuine unity among brothers is like the Lord’s anointing on a family or on a church. In fact, it’s the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and evidence of His work. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we repent of the sinful, self-centered behaviors and attitudes that disrupt and destroy our ability to live and work together in peace. The lordship of Jesus prevails and unity results.
The Psalm concludes, “For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.”(verse 3)
Where the Holy Spirit is able to bring about this good and precious unity, salvation results. Children grow up knowing and loving Jesus. Neighbors are attracted to Him and want to surrender to Him, too, and they discover eternal life and salvation in Him.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the precious unity you have given in our homes and in our church. Preserve this Holy Spirit unity in us. Keep alive in my heart the love that puts others and their good before myself. Be the Lord of my life, my family, and my church. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles