Unity

Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore. (NIV) 

How good and pleasant is unity amongst God’s people.  It is, indeed, good and pleasant, but it can often be quite elusive.  Every day, dissatisfied men and women leave churches in hopes of finding something better.  Congregations become divided by a myriad of issues, from differing ideas about direction and leadership to worship styles.  Our world is filled with sin, and sadly, this sin often comes between those who worship together.

Psalm 133 is part of a group of psalms called ‘Psalms of Ascents.’  Psalms of Ascents would be sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made their way from distant lands to Jerusalem to worship in the temple.  Interestingly, it was divisions amongst the Jews that led in part to their downfall as a nation, and dispersion throughout their world.  Had they maintained their unity of purpose as the people of God, they may not have been spread so far and wide.

Verse two tells us that unity among godly people is like precious oil poured on the head.  This referred to the oil that was used to anoint the high priest.  It was precious because it was reserved for one solemn ritual.  In this verse it runs down Aaron’s beard.  This signified all of God’s people. 

Verse three speaks of the dew of Hermon.  Mount Hermon is located along the border of present day Syria and Lebanon.  It is nearly ten thousand feet in height, arising abruptly from near sea level. The peaks are often snow covered.  The land below Mount Hermon is very fertile, being watered from the frequent dew.  We are told that godly unity would be as refreshing as if that dew watered the arid land surrounding Jerusalem (Mount Zion).

Unity may be rare and precious at times, but it should always be our goal.  In all we do, we should seek to be unified with our Christian brothers and sisters.  Will we always agree on everything?  Of course not, but we can be unified in our purpose as God’s people.  Our purpose is clear, to be and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Today, let us seek to live in unity with our Christian brothers and sisters.  Let us be unified in our purpose of shining God’s light into the darkness of the world. 

Posted by Ramón Torres