How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
At the end of a meal to mark Passover, a traditional Jewish holiday that celebrates and remembers the greatness of God’s saving work, church members expressed their joy by dancing together in a circle. Barry stood back, watching with a huge smile. He remarked how much he loved these occasions, saying, “This is my family now. This is my community. I’ve found somewhere where I know I can love and be loved . . . where I belong.”
In his childhood, Barry suffered cruel emotional and physical abuse, robbing him of his joy. But his local church welcomed him and introduced him to Jesus. Finding their unity and joy infectious, he began following Christ and felt loved and accepted.
In Psalm 133, King David used powerful images to illustrate the far-reaching effects of the “good and pleasant” unity of God’s people. He said it’s like someone who is anointed with precious oil, the liquid running down over their collar (v. 2). This anointing was common in the ancient world, sometimes as a greeting when one entered a home. David also compared this unity to the dew that falls on the mountain bringing life and blessing (v. 3).
Oil releases a fragrance that fills a room and dew brings moisture to dry places. Unity too has good and pleasant effects such as welcoming those who are alone. Let’s seek to be united in Christ so that God can bring about good through us.
A song of ascents. Of David.
when God’s people live togetherf in unity!g
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,h
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dewi of Hermonj
were falling on Mount Zion.k
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,l
even life forevermore.m
INSIGHT
- When have you seen unity at work in your community?
- How could you reach out to someone you don’t know at your church?
Faith in Christ is a communal experience rather than an individual one. When the New Testament describes the lives of believers in Jesus, the terms used are almost always plural—and that’s the case in Ephesians 2:17–22. Key expressions are “fellow citizens” (v. 19) and “built together” (v. 22). In each case, the body of Christ, not the individual, is in view. Additionally, not only are these expressions plural, but they also point strongly toward the church as community—found in the words fellow and together. These terms do more than express plurality, however. They also speak of entering into a shared experience with one another as believers in Jesus. This idea is reinforced more than twenty-five times in the New Testament as we’re challenged by “one another” statements—for example, Romans 12:10, 16; 15:7; Ephesians 4:2, 32; 5:21—that guide how we’re to relate to each other as fellow members of the body of Christ.
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to show Your love, not only to those I find easy to accept but also to those I find challenging. In Your name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Psalm 133 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8
