Saturday, August 19, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 133

How very good and pleasant it is
   when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
   running down upon the beard,
   on the beard of Aaron,
   running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
   which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
   life forevermore. (NRSV)

Reflection
How powerful it is when the people of God live together in unity. God’s call to unity is divine. A “kindred” in the context of Psalm 133 is not a biological relationship but a reference to people joined together by God’s grace. David describes this kinship as “good and pleasant” and reminds us how very good it is to live together with a strong sense of oneness.

When people of faith come together, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. A single snowflake is of no consequence, even frail, but what happens when numerous flakes join together? They quickly become consequential.

Agreement increases capacity. Depth of agreement deepens the joy and power of those sharing a common bond. In coming together we give witness to the truth that “it is good and pleasant” to live in harmony. Unity is good and pleasant because we can do more collaboratively than we can solo. Not one of us is greater than all of us.

The call to unity is paramount, and it is on purpose and with purpose. The people of God are called to continuously reform the world. We are always reforming. Those joined together by the grace of God have the ultimate opportunity to offer hope and kinship to a wider community. God is calling us to those who experience scarcity in everything from meaningful relationships, physical ailments, employment, love, and justice.

Be reminded that God loves us abundantly and has not withheld anything from us. God has given us everything needed to respond to scarcity. Our unity will produce good fruit and have an eternal impact.

Prayer
Loving God, help us live together in harmony, with a strong sense of oneness, joined together by your grace, so that our unity would produce righteous fruits and be like a sweet fragrance to you and those you love. Amen.

Written by Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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