Unity on Voting Day?
Come and see for yourself how good and how pleasant it is when we live together united and not divided!
On a morning when people in these United States of America will gather at poles and vote for a next president, it isn’t lost on me that Psalm 133 verse 1 speaks of unity and harmony instead of divisiveness and isolation.
If the Word of God speaks so highly of unity and says that we should “behold”, that we should “come and see for ourselves” how good and how pleasant something is — it shouldn’t be that difficult for us to understand that there is a contrasting alternative. In fact, in this call to “come”, we are being urged our of the darkness of the alternative and coaxed into the light.
It should not be surprising that we are easier to defeat and easier to control when we are divided rather than united. It should not be surprising that those selling power and honor for themselves in this world would make careers of dividing and conquering people by setting them up to see enemies around them instead of neighbors and friends.
I tell you, my friends, that there is no peace in making enemies and making war, but there is sound rest in a life that serves well and loves well.
Regardless of which candidate someone selects or which news propaganda they choose to listen to, we will not be divided into these foolish tribes of donkeys and elephants. We are children of God and our King is a roaring Lion. Do you not see Him on the throne?
Lord, it is you who rules over nations, not the clowns that we see playing political games and selling division and wickedness and hatred. When we choose our nation’s figurehead today, let us remember that you are our only hope. Amen.
Psalms 133:1-3 NLT
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
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.
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.
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.133.1-3.NLT
I especially enjoy what C. H Spurgeon has to share on this verse (from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps133.cfm):
EXPOSITION
Verse 1. “Behold.” It is a wonder seldom seen, therefore behold it! It may be seen, for it is the characteristic of real saints,—therefore fail not to inspect it! It is well worthy of admiration; pause and gaze upon it! It will charm you into imitation, therefore note it well! God looks on with approval, therefore consider it with attention. “How good and holy pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” No one can tell the exceeding excellence of such a condition; and so the Psalm ist uses the word “how” twice;—Behold how good! and how pleasant! He does not attempt to measure either the good or the pleasure, but invites us to behold for ourselves. The combination of the two adjectives “good” and “pleasant,” is more remarkable than the conjunction of two stars of the first magnitude: for a thing to be “good” is good, but for it also to be pleasant is better. All men love pleasant things, and yet it frequently happens that the pleasure is evil; but here the condition is as good as it is pleasant, as pleasant as it is good, for the same “how” is set before each qualifying word.
For brethren according to the flesh to dwell together is not always wise; for experience teaches that they are better a little apart, and it is shameful for them to dwell together in disunion. They had much better part in peace like Abraham and Lot, than dwell together in envy like Joseph’s brothers. When brethren can and do dwell together in unity, then is their communion worthy to be gazed upon and sung of in holy Psalm ody. Such sights ought often to be seen among those who are near of kin, for they are brethren, and therefore should be united in heart and aim; they dwell together, and it is for their mutual comfort that there should be no strife; and yet how many families are rent by fierce feuds, and exhibit a spectacle which is neither good nor pleasant!
As to brethren in spirit, they ought to dwell together in church fellowship, and in that fellowship one essential matter is unity. We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity: oneness of life, truth, and way; oneness in Christ Jesus; oneness of object and spirit—these we must have, or our assemblies will be synagogues of contention rather than churches of Christ. The closer the unity the better; for the more of the good and the pleasant there will be. Since we are imperfect beings, somewhat of the evil and the unpleasant is sure to intrude; but this will readily be neutralized and easily ejected by the true love of the saints, if it really exists. Christian unity is good in itself, good for ourselves, good for the brethren, good for our converts, good for the outside world; and for certain it is pleasant; for a loving heart must have pleasure and give pleasure in associating with others of like nature. A church united for years m earnest service of the Lord is a well of goodness and joy to all those who dwell round about it.”
Harold J. Ballinger 