Psalm 133
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 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. 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)
For the last forty years or so, my husbands’ family has had an annual reunion. One week in the summer we meet at a state park, staying in cabins and sharing meals and laughs with each other. The kids love having water balloon fights, play golf, go horseback riding, go geocaching, ride paddle boats, etc. The adults enjoy the campfire, take long walks, do puzzles, play games, etc. We meet in western Nebraska because his family’s parents grew up there. However, the rest of us come from all over; Colorado, Texas, Iowa (we don’t hold that against them too much!), Arkansas, Oklahoma and Lincoln. We have differing opinions on politics, religion, music, sports teams, and more. But one thing is clear: we love each other.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity”. Unity doesn’t mean everyone is the same or that we’ve never disagreed. It means we’ve chosen that our love for one another is greater than the things that could divide us. Every shared meal, every game, every laugh around the fire and every conversation is a reminder that togetherness is a gift.
The reference to the oil running down Aaron’s beard shows that abundance matters. The oil doesn’t just dab his forehead. It flows from his head, down his beard and onto his robes. God’s blessing isn’t stingy. When people live in unity, His blessing overflows, touching everything.
Now not everyone is having a reunion with loved ones this summer. However, when we do spend time with family or friends or people in our community, let’s do more than spend time together. Let’s look for ways to encourage each other, listen to one another, forgive quickly, and make someone feel valued. Let God’s precious oil touch all.
Question for Reflection:
- What is one thing you could do this week to help you have an experience of the kind of unity that Psalm 133 describes?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of family. Thank you for bringing us together again. Help us choose kindness over criticism, patience over frustration and love over selfishness. May our time together honor you, strengthen our relationships and remind us of the joy found in unity. Amen!
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