Tag: Psalm 133:1
Day 4–The Community of Unity
Scripture reading for March 26: Psalm 133:1,3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . . .For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
John 17:22-23“The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are One, I in them, and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and that I loved them even as You loved Me.”
For anyone that has worked on a team, the importance of unity is undisputable. Working together in harmony and sharing common goals and valuing the other team members makes work enjoyable. Good teamwork is developed by skilled leadership and willing followers. Unity is maintained by allowing God’s Spirit to flow to each member of the team through example of the leadership and humility of each member.
The psalmist who wrote Psalm 133 was describing the pleasure and goodness of the Israelite people when they worked and worshipped together in unity with each other and with God. If you read this whole psalm, it is interesting that unity starts with the precious anointing oil poured on head of the high priest, Aaron. This psalm teaches that the anointing of God’s Spirit starts with leaders who have been called and appointed by God. These leaders then stand firm and the anointing flows down from the head and even drips off the priestly garment. It is also likened to dew that settles on the thirsty ground and brings refreshing.
It is when brothers and sisters are in unity that God commands the blessing of His presence and anointing. Jesus gathered His disciples for the last time and prayed over them for the unity that comes from allowing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Jesus modeled this oneness and prayed us into it. From it, the world knows the Father’s love revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father God, I can only say ‘Amen’ to Jesus’ prayer for our unity with You and Him. Forgive me for disrupting that unity when I focus on myself and my flesh. As I work with teams of responders, help me to maintain the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3) Amen.
God commands love for enemies!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Luke 6, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Luke 6: 27-31 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.”
The law of sowing and reaping says that we get back what we put out. Jesus, knowing this to be true, commanded His followers to show love for their enemies. God’s love does what is best for the other person, in order to see them converted. When we do good to our enemies, it opens up their lives to see and experience the grace of God and hopefully draws them to repentance and life. This can change them from being your enemy to being a brother or sister and dwelling in God’s unity of the Trinity. This is Wisdom speaking, as God’s Word and Jesus are Wisdom for us!
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are Love and Wisdom. Forgive me for at times ignoring this command to love my enemies. I would rather ignore them or get even. This is not like Jesus. Fill me with Your Love and remind me to show love to all You put in my life and path. I desire the good and pleasant peace of dwelling in unity with You and Your people.
Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”
Living in harmony!
Scripture reading for March 1st: Romans 15
Key Scriptures: Romans 15:3-7 “For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever was written former days was written for our instruction, that through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragements grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Life isn’t supposed to be about me or centered on my will. Jesus demonstrated His own life lived out to please God and serve others in perfect submission and obedience. This took patience and endurance and for Jesus, the ultimate in suffering and sacrifice. Paul encourages the Roman Christians to follow Jesus’ example and gain encouragement from Scripture of the blessed hope that is ours in Christ. Paul prays that the “God of endurance and encouragements” would empower and make the way for harmony and unity among God’s people, that they may glorify God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. He asked that they would speak and live the Gospel of God’s love with “one voice,” welcoming others in the unity of Christ’s body. As Christ suffered to bring us into God’s unified Body, we may also have to endure suffering for others.
Psalm 69:9 “For zeal for Your house has consumed Me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on Me.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word and Holy Spirit that gives me endurance and encouragement today. Help me to live in perfect harmony with my brothers and sisters in the church. Use me to build Your Church and welcome others into fellowship and harmony.
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.
Beast-conquering worshipers!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 15, Psalm 133-34, Proverbs 6
Key Scriptures: Revelation 15:2-4 “And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire–and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your Name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.””
John again sees the redeemed in heaven around a sea of glass mingled with fire. These are those who have conquered with the blood of the Lamb and their testimony and they are singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. They worship God for His marvelous deeds of deliverance and judgment of the wicked and His kingship over all nations. They will worship the Holy One forever!
Faith Confession: I praise my Lord Jesus for His marvelous salvation and the gift of righteousness through faith. I proclaim and confess Jesus as King of Kings over all nations and choose freely to worship Him now and forever!
Psalm 133:1, 3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . . . It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
Unity with the Trinity!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 17
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
Jesus Christ prayed for Himself, His immediate disciples, and then for all who would believe on Him as a result of their preaching the message of Christ! He prayed for us and it is written down! The central focus of that prayer is that we would be in unity with the Father and Jesus and each other! This unity would be a witness to the world enabling many to believe that the Father sent Jesus Christ to save them. We must do our part to maintain the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace with our brothers and with the Lord and our Father!
Observations for over-comers: Disciples who over-come the world maintain a close bond with the Trinity and seek unity with the Body of Christ, His Church. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! . . .It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133, 1, 3)