Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 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! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (Psalm 133:1-3 ESV)
One of the most magnificent creatures is the Canadian goose. In every “V" formation of flying geese there are the weak, the strong, the young and the old. Engineers have studied their flying pattern and have observed that in their flight dynamics, those flapping their wings in the front of the ”V” cause air to rise up in waves. Those in the rear are carried along on those airwaves and save 60% of their energy in flying. When the lead goose tires, he falls to the rear and someone else takes over. Using their energy together they fly thousands of miles every year. If they were to fly alone, many would die. The young, the old, the wounded, the sick would never make it, if any at all.
God has set in the skies a beautiful example of how He intended the Body of Christ to function. There are no solo flyers in the Body of Christ. Whatever we accomplish we accomplish together.
John Maxwell said “One is too small a number for greatness.” In other words, nothing great has ever been accomplished by one person… In 1969 we put a man on the moon. To have been able to accomplish such a task would have been inconceivable with out the efforts, brainpower, technical know how and the service of 120,000 other persons united in the same goal and purpose.
Psalm 133 is a psalm that celebrates unity. Before we get into Psalm I want you to note the first word in the Psalm. “Behold." It means "Hey, check it out……. Wow! Awesome! Its like when we go to the mountains and turn out on one of those scenic points and look out and take it all in. David puts a stop sign in front of us at the very beginning of the Psalm. He doesn’t want us to go any further with out taking in the beauty of what unity really is.
Unity is the most beautiful thing this side of heaven. There is nothing on this earth that compares to it. So as we BEHOLD it’s beauty this morning David points our attention to 5 beautiful characteristics found in unity.
1. The Unity of Believers is Good (vs. 1a)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1 ESV)
If the unity of believers is the most beautiful thing this side of heaven, it might also be said that the disunity of believers is the ugliest thing this side of hell. I have been in churches before where I had to put my armor on just to walk through the front door. The atmosphere wasn’t family; it was more like a war zone. All the bickering, strife, divisions and gossip. Who needs it? But, to be in the presence of believers that are unified is GOOD and PLEASANT
2. The Unity of the Believers is Pleasant (v. 1B)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1 ESV)
Notice the emphasis in the language “Behold how good and how pleasant it is.” He doesn’t say how good and pleasant but how good and how pleasant using the word how twice. He doesn’t try to tell us of the pleasantness of unity, but invites us to behold or look for ourselves.
Now some things are good but not pleasant - like Pepto Bismol. You see Pepto Bismol is good in that it works. Yet, it is definitely not pleasant. Some things are pleasant but not good - like a bacon cheeseburger. A bacon cheeseburger is pleasant to the baste buds, but not very good for you.
King David tells us that when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity it is both good and pleasant or pleasing as well.
3. When believers are united for His purpose - the Lord puts His Holy Anointing on them.
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! (Psalm 133:2 ESV)
Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. David is saying just as Aaron was anointed and set apart for a special service for God, so to when a body of believers are united they put them selves in a position for God’s Anointing.
You can imagine how good Aaron must have smelled……The point I’m making here is that a unified body is attractive. It creates an irresistible atmosphere to both the believer and non- believer. It becomes an atmosphere of love that is conducive to both growth and service.
The oil is also symbolic of healing. Oil was used to heal wounds. A healthy body brings healing on all different levels. Isa. Tells us that the anointing breaks the yoke of bondage.
4. The Unity of the believers brings the refreshment and fruitfulness of God. (Excitement in the air)
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! ... (Psalm 133:3 ESV)
Mt Hermon has a majestic peak that reaches 9,101 feet above sea level. It is the highest point in Palestine and is perpetually snow-clad. It is said that the snow on Mt. Hermon can be seen for mile across the burning deserts below. The snow on the mountain condenses the vapors during summer so that abundant dews descend upon it while the surrounding country is parched.
You can imagine what a beautiful contrast Mt. Hermon must have provided a dry and thirsty land.
David says that the unity of believers is like taking that dew that resides on Mount Hermon and putting it on Mt. Zion. It’s a place where God can refresh and renew. A place that is conducive for growth and maturity.
5. Finally the Unity of the Believers is a place that God blesses with His Life.
... For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (Psalm 133:3 ESV)
It’s an atmosphere that’s filled with God’s life. Where you find God’s life you will always find the blessings of the Lord. The unity of believers is a very powerful thing. It’s not always easy, but it definitely encumbers the blessings of the Lord.
Having said that, let me warn you, it is the one thing that Satan wants most to destroy. Ephesians tells us not to give the devil a foothold.
That’s why Paul exhorts us in...
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— (Ephesians 4:2-4 ESV)
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