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May 2nd
Our Bible reading today is somewhat unique. Psalm 133 and its “three” verses. That’s all...just three verses.
Apparently the author of our reading plan found one more song that lined up with David’s coronation as king over all Israel.
Before the coronation, history paints a grim picture. Israelites against Israelites in some very bloody, deadly clashes for seven and a half years.
Now the new King of all the tribes writes a Spirit-inspired message in a song about unity restored. Listen to the beginning with me...“Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity.”
What a grand declaration. Two words stick out to me in the beginning of verse one: “behold” and “how”. Behold means “take notice”....” look at this”.
“How” is a part of the exclamation of David. Not unity among brethren is good and pleasant...but “how” marvelously good...” how” incredibly pleasant is unity among brothers and sisters.
“Behold...Look” at “how” God has “gloriously” brought us together! “Look” at “how” God has powerfully helped us to lay aside our personal preferences for the sake of fulfilling the purposes of God together “Look” at “how “lovingly good” our oneness in the Lord is. Look at “how” “beautifully pleasant” our fellowship together in God is.
David was exclaiming: Why would we ever allow selfish, personal, prideful ambitions to divide us. We were made to stick together. God will use our individual service, but He will sing songs over our labors together...for His glory and not our own.
Friends, Let us remember what Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples in John 17...”Father keep them in Your name that they may be one as we are one....so that the world may believe their message of Me.”
Let us also remember the Spirit-led exhortation that Paul gave the church in Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:3-6 New International Version (NIV)
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Unity among brothers has been a big deal, not just in David’s music, but in Christ’s prayers and Paul’s letters to the churches.
So just how did David describe the goodness and pleasantness of brothers dwelling in unity? “It’s like the oil on the head that is so abundantly given that it rolls into beard and down to the edge of the robe.” Which refreshes the recipient and gives off a pleasant fragrance for all nearby.
Unity among brothers in the faith “abundantly refreshes” the body of Christ and creates a pleasant atmosphere for all to worship and work with God as each are called.
David likened Unity among the believers as the “dew of Herman” falling upon the mountains of Zion. The continued dew upon Mt Herman turned its peaks and slopes and valleys a lush green.
That is how David saw Israel coming together in unity. And that should be our visual aid for praying...praying for unity of Spirit in our church, from dry and fruitless to lush green, of spiritual fruitfulness.
Have a great day
