July 12, 2020
For the next 15 days we will be reading through the Psalms of Ascent together as a church! The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134) that pilgrims would sing on their way up to Jerusalem to worship. These songs are meant to instruct and prepare the hearts of the traveler to worship the Lord! As sojourners and aliens in this world, we too need to have our hearts prepared for and instructed in the worship of our God. Let’s meditate on these psalms and allow the Spirit of the Lord to move us to true worship as we seek Him together!
This psalm pictures the pilgrim disciples gathered together to worship at Jerusalem in total solidarity and unity. The pilgrim sings this song to be reminded of the joys and the blessing that come from a unified community of the Lord’s people, and it is an ideal to which the church is called as well!
The psalmist uses two similes to describe the blessing that comes from this kind of unity among God’s people. The first is the oil on Aaron the priest’s head at his ordination (Ex. 30:22-33). This oil set him and his descendants apart, consecrating them as holy. In the same way, unity in the body of Christ sets us apart as holy as we live in the world but are not of the world!
The second simile is of the “dew of Hermon” (v.3), a mountain in the far south of the land of Israel. The rains the psalmist is here describing were essential for the survival of Israel’s vegetation during the dry season. In the same way, unity among brothers and sisters in Christ is a catalyst for growth in the sense of bearing fruit in discipleship!
Let’s not neglect to strive for absolute unity in the body of Christ. It sets us apart from the world and is essential to our growing in our walk of faith!
Psalm 133
When Brothers Dwell in Unity
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 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!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- What are some ways you have experienced disunity in the body of Christ? What were the results of that? How can you be a person who strives for unity among your brothers and sisters in the faith?
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Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Word. It is as true and as valuable today as when it was written. If we follow and apply all of Your teachings to our lives, we will be blessed and have richer lives. As believers, we must be unified and work together, for the good of the body. We each have unique talents that need to be used for the good of the whole, for a house divided will fall. It is so easy to divide the body when each doesn’t work together but pulls against it with their own selfish desires. Please help us to be cautious when we are searching for a new pastor that we remain unified. Please encourage us to continue to pray for the pastor search committee for just this reason. In so doing, we can present our church to the community. as a body of unified believers seeking one goal…to lead the lost to You. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Lord Jesus thank you for life. Life forevermore with You. You are my banner as I go into the battles of this life on earth. My hope is in You. Thank you for reminding me what a blessing it is to stand in unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh May You fill us with Your anointed oil. May it run to overflowing. Breath Life unto us Lord Jesus. Life forevermore. In Your Name I pray Lord Jesus Amen.
Dear Lord I want your life to flow through me so that everyone can see what you have done for me. You have given me the most precious gift and that is you. I want to thank you for making me strong in your love for me. Wash me in your anointing oil. I want to stand with my brother’s and sisters to praise your name. In Jesus name I pray Amen
Unity is a two-way street. It takes both parties to unify. But when unity is defined as “my way,” it is really selfishness wrapped in the robe of unity. God blesses true unity and may we always strive for it.
Very well said.
Lord Thank you. For your prayers for the church to be unified. It is you who Will help us work together and pull together. With forgiveness and understanding ,we can overcome all the power of darkness that continually seek to divide us to conquer,
. May your word dwell richly in our hearts so that we might not sin against your Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord Jesus fir these beautiful psalms.In your Holy name we pray Amen!!
Give unity Lord, especially in this season, so that we can do your work of sharing the gospel with all who cross paths with us.
Let us dwell together in unity.