Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

Psalm 133 (NLT)
1How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
    that was poured over Aaron’s head,
    that ran down his beard
    and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
    that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
    even life everlasting.

I have always been fascinated how voices are able to sing in harmony with different octaves working together to create a wonderful and pleasant sound.  If four people stood together and forcefully sang their own tune, it would sound like clashing noise and hands would quickly cover ears.  Especially if I was singing. But if those same four voices came together for one purpose there would be a pleasant sound.  A barbershop quartet sings in especially close harmony.  There is the lead who most often carries the melody, a bass part who sings the baseline, a tenor who harmonizes above the lead, and a baritone who completes the chord.  They are all different, but unified in harmony.  

Psalm 133 calls God’s people to live in unity, that we may be a pleasant sound for the world and receive his blessing.  Unity is so precious to God that it is described as sacred oil that would have anointed a high priest.  The world needs the refreshing message of hope and the news of the Gospel.  We also bear fruit when we learn to get along with one another.  The church is filled with unique personalities and opinions as well as our families and friend groups.  We can either let these differences divide us, or we can learn to sing in harmony. Ministries are strengthened when we work together.  Families and friendships are strengthened when we get along.  The world takes notice when we are peacemakers, so let us live as Jesus did and sing his message as we live out our day.  

As a Psalm of ascent, David pens the words for worship and calls our heart to do the same.  Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:23-24, So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  One important part of our prayer time can be to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas we are not loving others.  If there is hate in our heart, it will affect our relationship with God. We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34) and our capacity to love and forgive comes from Jesus who loved us first (1 John 4:19).  We can’t always control our circumstances, but we can bring God’s power into them. We can’t control other people, but we can pray God’s power over them and His Spirit of unity in us.  1 Peter 3:8 reminds us, Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for loving us first. Help us to love others.  Lord, fill us this day with your Holy Spirit, refresh us with your spirit of unity and let it rain down upon God’s people and into our communities.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.