Psalms 133:1-2 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
Behold! The psalmist begins this Psalm drawing our attention to something that needs to be observed. Why? Because it was, and is, something that is often a rare sight. This rare sight is the one thing that today gives great evidence that we belong to the Lord Jesus. It is a sight that displays love for one another, and is something that was commanded by the Lord Himself. God describes this rare sight as both good and pleasant, or beautiful and delightful. This rare sight is called unity. How wonderful it would be, and how much we could accomplish for the glory of the Lord, if God's people would only live in unity. In John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." In other words, by this strange thing called unity, as we love one another, the world will know that we belong to Jesus. The Lord expressed His desire for the church in John 17:22-23, "And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One, I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world would know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me." Can we see why unity amongst God's people is such a good and pleasant thing? It is a reflection of the unity that exists in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The psalmist compares this unity to the anointing oil of the high priest who is consecrated and set aside for God's use. It is a fragrant oil that was not to be reproduced for personal use, but for use only in the service of God Almighty. How can we effectively serve God, as the church, when rather than becoming a sweet fragrance in unity, we choose instead to exude the stench of worldly and devilish division? James 4 clearly tells us that strife within the body comes from pride; from desires for pleasure, lust, covetousness, and friendship with the world. Oh that God's people would realize how much more could be accomplished if we would only put our pride aside, see others as being better than ourselves, and exist with one another in humble unity, loving one another as Jesus commanded. Sadly, the one thing that God's people have the ability to do, by the Spirit's leading, is the one thing Satan and his devils do very well themselves. It is no wonder they have such an easy time keeping us divided. Today, if we truly want to live in unity within the church, we will need to start with self. Yes, we need to begin, individually, with the Lord's command from Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men." My brothers and sisters, this applies one hundred-fold to each of us as the children of God; because in the eyes of our Lord, this is truly good and pleasant.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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