Our living God Pt 23: Live in unity
Psalm 133:1-4 1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2It 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. 3It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Living in unity is hard
Psalm 133 begins with a beautiful sentence:
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1, NIV).
Unity sounds wonderful. It’s something we all want — in our families, churches, neighborhoods, and even our countries. But if we’re honest, living in unity is hard. People are different. We have different personalities, experiences, opinions, and dreams. Even people who love each other deeply — parents and children, husbands and wives, best friends — sometimes argue and hurt each other.
Think about the earliest stories in the Bible. Right after Adam and Eve leave the Garden of Eden, their two sons, Cain and Abel, fight — and it ends in tragedy. Later, even Abraham and Lot, two good and faithful men, had to separate because their herdsmen kept quarreling (Genesis 13). If these godly people struggled with unity, it’s no surprise that we do too.
Today, the challenges are even bigger. We live in a world that often encourages division. Social media, politics, and even news sources seem to reward people for shouting louder, insulting others, and picking sides. Forgiveness and patience are seen as signs of weakness. Instead of working to understand each other, we often walk away.
In churches, too, unity can be fragile. Different worship styles, minor disagreements about doctrine, or personal conflicts can tear people apart. Sometimes we let pride, jealousy, or unforgiveness destroy the beautiful relationships God wants for us. Jesus understood how hard unity would be. That’s why, in His final prayer before going to the cross, He asked the Father to make His followers one:
"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." (John 17:21, NIV).
Jesus’ prayer shows two things: first, unity matters deeply to God. Second, unity is so difficult that it takes divine help. We can’t achieve it on our own.
Unity demands humility. It asks us to put others ahead of ourselves. It requires forgiveness when we are wronged, and grace when others make mistakes. It challenges us to listen carefully, to love sacrificially, and to seek peace even when it would be easier to leave.
It’s hard work. But as Psalm 133 reminds us, it’s also deeply rewarding.
But it has many blessings
Even though unity is challenging, it brings incredible blessings — for individuals, families, churches, and entire communities.
Psalm 133 uses two images to describe how wonderful unity is:
1. Precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. (Psalm 133:2)
In ancient Israel, being anointed with oil was a symbol of being chosen, blessed, and set apart for a holy purpose. Oil was expensive and rare — a sign of honor and celebration. When Aaron was anointed as the first high priest, the oil running down his head and robe symbolized the outpouring of God's Spirit and favor.
In the same way, when people live together in unity, it’s like God’s Spirit flows over them, bringing peace, joy, and a sense of divine blessing. Unity makes ordinary life feel sacred and beautiful.
2. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. (Psalm 133:3)
Mount Hermon was famous for its heavy dew — moisture that brought life and growth to the dry land. In the Bible, dew often symbolizes blessing, refreshment, and fruitfulness. Unity, like dew, nourishes relationships, allowing them to flourish.
When people live in unity, life becomes richer. Families are happier. Churches are stronger. Communities are safer. There is more encouragement, less loneliness, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Other parts of Scripture echo this idea:
· In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, we read that "two are better than one" because they can help each other succeed. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
· In Acts 2:42-47, the early church’s unity led to miracles, growth, and favor with all the people.
· Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
Unity doesn't mean we all think exactly alike. It doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything. True unity means we stay together in love even when we see things differently. It means valuing each other more than our own opinions. It means pursuing peace because we recognize that relationships are a precious gift from God.
The blessings of unity go beyond just feeling good. Research today even shows that people who have strong, supportive relationships are healthier, live longer, and are happier. God knew what He was doing when He designed us to live in community!
And leads to everlasting life
Psalm 133 ends with this promise:
"For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133:3, NIV)
Unity is not just good for this life. It’s a glimpse of eternity.
When we live in unity with each other, we are practicing for heaven. The Bible describes heaven as a place where people from every nation, tribe, and language worship God together in perfect harmony (Revelation 7:9). There will be no divisions, no arguments, no broken relationships. Just perfect love and peace forever.
Jesus told His followers that loving one another would be the clearest sign that they belonged to Him:
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35, NIV)
Unity among believers is not just a "nice thing." It’s essential to our witness to the world. When outsiders see Christians living in love and peace, they catch a glimpse of God's kingdom. In fact, eternal life itself is deeply connected to relationships. Jesus said in John 17:3:
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Eternal life is not just living forever. It’s living in relationship — with God and with others — forever. When we choose unity now, we are choosing the life of heaven. We are saying yes to God’s dream for humanity. We are participating in the eternal love that flows between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What about me?
Understanding the beauty and blessing of unity is one thing. Living it out is another. Here are some simple but powerful ways we can pursue unity in daily life:
· Pray for others. It’s hard to stay angry at someone you regularly pray for.
· Listen carefully. Often, conflicts arise because we assume we know what someone else is thinking. Listening with humility opens the door to understanding.
· Forgive quickly. Don’t let bitterness take root. Forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay; it’s choosing to let go of revenge and anger.
· Celebrate differences. Instead of being threatened by people who are different, learn from them. Unity is not uniformity.
· Speak words that build up. Ephesians 4:29 tells us to only say what is helpful for building others up.
· Stay connected. Even when you’re hurt or disappointed, resist the urge to pull away. Fight for relationships with patience and grace.
· Remember the bigger picture. We are part of God’s family forever. Today’s irritation is small compared to the eternal joy we are called to share.
Living in unity is hard. It requires humility, patience, forgiveness, and grace. But it brings rich blessings — emotional, spiritual, and even physical. It creates beauty, strength, and joy in our relationships. And most importantly, it points us toward everlasting life. Psalm 133 gives us a simple but profound vision: unity is good, it is pleasant, it is holy, and it leads to life forevermore. In a world full of conflict and division, living in unity is a radical, powerful testimony to the love of God. It’s not easy — but with God’s help, it is possible. And it is worth every effort.
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