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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. (Psalm 133 NIV Bible) Happy Thursday dear Friend. Make this a tremendous Thursday! Bless the Lord with your soul, and others with joy and love. Friends, please pray for a dear sister from our church, Ms. Norma Fink, who is battling Covid. Pray for her peace and healing as she is isolated from loved ones during this time. Pray for one another; lift up prayers for the world, for peace, for harmony.
The story goes that Frank never particularly wanted to go to church, but he had promised his wife that he would, and as was his custom he was in his usual pew and when there was a lull in the worship service, his cell phone rang. His wife immediately sussed him, as did two or three worshipers sit near him. The faces from the choir could have killed, if looks could kill; and even the pastor shared her reaction of disgust at such an interruption. As church ended, most people ignored him because they were so upset that he had allowed such a thing to happen. That night Frank, still smarting from the trouble he had caused in the Lord's house, went to Joe's Bar. Frank ordered a drink and as he was setting it back down after his first sip, he accidentally knocked it over, and the bartender immediately wiped it up without saying a word and when he had thoroughly cleaned the spot, served him another one. Frank's buddies came over and asked if he was alright, slapping him on the back as buddies do. Which place would Frank prefer to go back to? Which one would you?
The above story, while made up by someone on the internet, can and does happen more times than we'd like, and yes, some folks have said there is more love and unity at Joe's Bar down at the corner than there is in most churches. You and I have probably seen and heard things that you would imagine being said and done in the Lord's house. You and I have probably seen some disagreements turn into outright fights. A dear friend once had his label microphone on while he was in his office awaiting worship to start. Being a small church, he was his own sound man, and so the mic was hot, and in comes Sister Business and begins to yell at him for something she had not agreed with during a recent council meeting, and the two began to argue quite loudly. The oldest son of the pastor ran to the office door and knocked. Preacher Dad told him not now son! "Dad," the boy said, "Your mic is on and people in the sanctuary are hearing you two argue!" Gulp. Fight over.
I have also seen, heard, and experienced the most incredible acts of love that one cannot see anywhere else, but a church. When we had recently arrived to a certain church I had made friends with the pastor of The Presbyterian Church in town, and he and I were walking buddies. Every morning we would walk for miles and swap jokes. One day I awoke with the flu and I called my friend to let him know I would not be walking that morning. He later came by our house and left two bags with chicken noodle soup, canned orange juice, and some over the counter medicines. A small gesture said he; a huge gesture of love and care said I. I have seen church members caring for others that could no longer care for themselves. I have seen some drive other sisters and brothers from the church from the Valley to Houston for cancer treatments. And you could add to this already long list your own stories that support what the psalmist said and knew when he wrote those powerful words about "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" This verse supports what we studied yesterday about the first Christian church of Jerusalem. His addition to better explain this awesome behavior is not a well-known one to us. "It is like precious oil poured on the head, running dow on the beard." The custom of pouring oil on our heads, as far as I know, has faded away. As for Aaron, well he's been long dead, and dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion doesn't compute for us. Some scholars associate the "dew of Hermon" being symbolic of abundance, blessing, and freshness; with which we can relate. We do know and believe that wherever God bestows His blessings, is a blessed place, as is life everlasting.
Unity is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony, cooperation, and love. When God's people come together in unity, it not only blesses them but also reflects God's character to the world. Unity draws others to the beauty of the gospel and fosters an environment where God's blessings can flow freely.
PRAYER: Gracious God, We thank You for the gift of unity among Your people. Help us to cherish and cultivate unity in our churches, families, and communities. Pour out Your Spirit upon us, that we may be bound together in love and mutual respect. May our unity be a testimony to your goodness and grace, drawing others into relationship with you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! HERE'S YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Seek where you can add to the unity of God's people, and do it!
I love you and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
