Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 133:1-3
Ps 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when brothers 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 upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Eph 4:2-6
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
It is no accident that Paul begins his discussion on unity by saying that we are to be humble, gently, patient, and bearing with each other in love. The unity in this context is learning to get along with each other because we all belong to the same family. The principle that Jesus gave applies in churches too; “don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.” Paul says we are to make every effort to maintain this unity of the Spirit. God makes us one and we are to maintain it.
When the church began, we are told that God was adding daily those who were being saved. God saves us. God adds us. God makes us his family, his children. So now it is up to us to act like a family and show our love for each other. When we do not agree or when we don’t like what someone else likes, we are humble, not always having our way. We are gentle in our response, being patient and showing the love of Christ in our attitude. God wants his family to get along in unity.
If I were always right and I knew all of God’s will and how to apply it, and if I never made mistakes in my judgment but had perfect wisdom, then I could just demand that everyone always agree with me. But I am not and I do not, so I must learn to get along with others as my family, as we learn together. Most relationship problems come because one or the other (or both) are determined to have their own way, even when it destroys the relationship. Unity in Christ is our goal!
O Lord, give me greater patience and help me be humble and gentle in my actions and in my attitude (both toward you and toward others around me). I know there will be times when I do not like what someone has done, so help me bear with them in love. Help me remember to treat others the way I want them to treat me, in all things. Help me study and know more of your will, give me wisdom to be able to understand it, but also help me remember that I can be wrong. Help those who are hurting and give them your peace and healing. In Jesus name.
Robert
