Unity is on my mind. Jesus is in my heart. It’s one of those topics that is abstract but real. I’ve seen unity and I’ve seen division, restoration and destruction. It’s a lot easier to walk together on a lane of harmony than on a warpath of tears. I’ve walked them both.
The big question is how does one restore unity in a relationship, divided home, community or country? It’s all about preparing our hearts to be open to another person’s viewpoint, even if we think they are wrong.
Allow others to think for themselves. Pray for them. God will usually show us our own sin first.
Then He tells us He will handle the problem. When we let go, we give God room to work.
We are all strong personalities in our family and everyone has an opinion, but the love for each other overshadows disputes. Our weapons are seldom drawn and we have our moments, but we keep our hearts open to each other.
We pray, we give each other space, we know how we are, and we truly love each other. One member of our family might get their feelings hurt and spew a few words. But, we forgive, and God works it out. We are better for being a part of this family than not.
Whether it’s a personal disagreement, or against people in our community or country, we bring our grievance to God. He provided a way for us through Jesus. He died for our sins, and our sins are forgiven. He is asking us to forgive others.
I am reminded of Psalm 133, “for the brethren to dwell together in unity,” a scripture tucked away in a cluster of 15 psalms called the Songs of Ascents. Psalms 120-134 were sung by the pilgrims on the way up to the temple each year or in the ascending march from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. God provided a path, a way, for the brethren to dwell together in unity and come to Him.
The Israelites left their homes, encumbered with a year of sin, and made their way to the temple in Jerusalem. Their yearly upward travel was with a sacrificial spotless lamb carried to the high priest for forgiveness and cleansing of their sins. We also need forgiveness from God through the lamb Jesus.
As they began, they sang Psalm 120. They cried to be delivered from the condition of their hearts and their deceitful tongues.
The journey continued. They sang lyrics from Psalm 121, taking the Israelites higher and higher to their destination. Their hearts were encouraged as they lifted up their eyes to the hills and understood their help came from the Lord.
They were glad when they sang Psalm 122, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” They kept their destination in view, wishing for peace within Jerusalem.
The Israelites looked for God’s mercy in Psalm 123, lifting up their eyes to the One who dwells in the heavens: “Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.”
Making the journey, their voices changed, as did their hearts, trusting in the Lord’s encompassing protection, remembering and thanking God for past blessings. Their words became full of faith in the morning light, and their song came from a heart growing in grace.
For us in our country, unity is coming. Just like in our family, our love for our country and each other overshadows the disputes. We pray, we give each other space, we know how we are, and we truly love each other. We are better for being a part of this country than not.
As they approached their destination, they sang Psalm 131: “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty, neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me …”
Meeting with others who made the journey with their offerings, they sang Psalm 133 in one accord: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…”
In their journey and singing the last Psalm 134, they were ready to roll their sins into the hands of the high priest, who would go into the Holy of Holies and place their sacrifice on the altar. In the temple, they sang to the Lord, “Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth, bless you from Zion!”
Some of the hardest people I have encountered along my journey with different opinions have become my best friends. I am better for knowing them.
Final brushstroke: Wow. All this to tell us that unity is a spiritual journey, needing forgiveness, repentance, looking to God for help, thanking God for blessings, singing words of faith, proclaiming the pleasantness of unity and making peace with others. When our hearts are right with God, we can live in unity with others.
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Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN.
