Be a man with your body! Don’t shirk work, or play or fight. Eat an’ drink an’ be merry, but don’t live jest for thet. Lend a helpin’ hand—be generous with your gold…. Don’t ever get drunk…. An’ the only way is to be game an’ kind an’ square.”
–Zane Grey (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
–Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
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Have you ever heard a symphony orchestra tuning up? My, oh my, what a horrendous sound. But when they come under the control of the conductor and follow his direction there breaks forth a wonderful harmony that the soul can enjoy. The orchestra must come together under the leadership of the conductor. This is a good illustration of the church under the headship of Jesus. “Genuine harmony is a precious thing, like sacred oil flowing down the head and beard of the priest, emitting a sweet aroma.” (Steven Lawson) That is what we see in Psalm 133–harmony.
1 — Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 — It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
3 — It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forevermore. (NKJV)
“Good and pleasant” may be phrased as “great delight.” Harmony and unity what a sound. Take one instrument in the orchestra out of unity and the harmony is broken and there is discord. It is easy to distinguish. Each instrument must be in tune and that takes time and effort, then when they are played together, they become one sound. How so the church should also be. One of my former pastors, Wayne Clark, used to try this to show this example. He would have everyone begin singing, at the top of their voice, their favorite hymn. It was a cacophony, simply put–noise. But when he said, we will all sing such and such together the words were distinguishable, the sound favorable to the ears, all was in harmony.
To live or dwell together “is to function in close and intimate association with others.” (Lawson) So much of the time we are caught up in self-centered pursuits. Either that or we are caught up in our own troubles and trials. “In your darkest night, you may have been unaware of anyone except yourself… You felt you were hurt too many times so you remained oblivious to the companionship of others.” (George Wood). Now, you’re almost to your destination. Darkness has dissipated, and you look around and notice others near you. Some of whom gave you support in your time of need. They’ve been climbing as well, now as the destination is near there comes the sound of unity.
F.B. Meyer said, “Love in the Spirit is the dew which is a symbol and channel of the eternal love and blessing of God.” The refrain from the old song sounds, “They will know we are Christians by our love…” As the oil of the Spirit comes down into our inner being and we allow Him to take over “love and harmony spreads blessing to the entire body.” (Lawson) When we are in unity we have fullness of life, or as John wrote, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (10:10, NKJV) Not just the humdrum life of existence, the life of trodding along, but abundant life!
I read a good illustration of the strength of unity. A man gave his son a stick and told him to break it which he easily did. Then he gave the boy two sticks which he was able to break. He added a third stick, which was broken, but with a struggle. Finally, enough sticks were added where the boy could not break them. The lesson: “unity is strength.” (Lawson) Solomon tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up… Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (10:9-10,12, NKJV).
Each of us has to walk our own path. Each of us must lift one foot after another. Each of us has special gifts and talents. As we journey on the upward road to our destination which is heaven we have others around us to aid us. Others who have gifts and talents that will aid us and add to our ease along the way. “The pilgrim’s decision to leave behind the old life and call upon the Lord is an intensely personal one. No one else can make that decision for you. But, as you continue in your upward climb, you will be strengthened by the gifts God gives–loving, caring, and supportive fellow pilgrims.” (Wood)
“Be this our common enterprise:
That truth be preached and prayer arise,
That each may seek the other’s good,
And live and love as Jesus would.”
–Frederick K. Brewster
———————————
Have you ever heard a symphony orchestra tuning up? My, oh my, what a horrendous sound. But when they come under the control of the conductor and follow his direction there breaks forth a wonderful harmony that the soul can enjoy. The orchestra must come together under the leadership of the conductor. This is a good illustration of the church under the headship of Jesus. “Genuine harmony is a precious thing, like sacred oil flowing down the head and beard of the priest, emitting a sweet aroma.” (Steven Lawson) That is what we see in Psalm 133–harmony.
1 — Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 — It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
3 — It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forevermore. (NKJV)
“Good and pleasant” may be phrased as “great delight.” Harmony and unity what a sound. Take one instrument in the orchestra out of unity and the harmony is broken and there is discord. It is easy to distinguish. Each instrument must be in tune and that takes time and effort, then when they are played together, they become one sound. How so the church should also be. One of my former pastors, Wayne Clark, used to try this to show this example. He would have everyone begin singing, at the top of their voice, their favorite hymn. It was a cacophony, simply put–noise. But when he said, we will all sing such and such together the words were distinguishable, the sound favorable to the ears, all was in harmony.
To live or dwell together “is to function in close and intimate association with others.” (Lawson) So much of the time we are caught up in self-centered pursuits. Either that or we are caught up in our own troubles and trials. “In your darkest night, you may have been unaware of anyone except yourself… You felt you were hurt too many times so you remained oblivious to the companionship of others.” (George Wood). Now, you’re almost to your destination. Darkness has dissipated, and you look around and notice others near you. Some of whom gave you support in your time of need. They’ve been climbing as well, now as the destination is near there comes the sound of unity.
F.B. Meyer said, “Love in the Spirit is the dew which is a symbol and channel of the eternal love and blessing of God.” The refrain from the old song sounds, “They will know we are Christians by our love…” As the oil of the Spirit comes down into our inner being and we allow Him to take over “love and harmony spreads blessing to the entire body.” (Lawson) When we are in unity we have fullness of life, or as John wrote, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (10:10, NKJV) Not just the humdrum life of existence, the life of trodding along, but abundant life!
I read a good illustration of the strength of unity. A man gave his son a stick and told him to break it which he easily did. Then he gave the boy two sticks which he was able to break. He added a third stick, which was broken, but with a struggle. Finally, enough sticks were added where the boy could not break them. The lesson: “unity is strength.” (Lawson) Solomon tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up… Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (10:9-10,12, NKJV).
Each of us has to walk our own path. Each of us must lift one foot after another. Each of us has special gifts and talents. As we journey on the upward road to our destination which is heaven we have others around us to aid us. Others who have gifts and talents that will aid us and add to our ease along the way. “The pilgrim’s decision to leave behind the old life and call upon the Lord is an intensely personal one. No one else can make that decision for you. But, as you continue in your upward climb, you will be strengthened by the gifts God gives–loving, caring, and supportive fellow pilgrims.” (Wood)
“Be this our common enterprise:
That truth be preached and prayer arise,
That each may seek the other’s good,
And live and love as Jesus would.”
–Frederick K. Brewster