Psalm 133

Scripture

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.

 

Observation

The person writing this psalm extends the idea that the body of believers are to live together in unity to be effective. Additionally, they extend that unity leads to goodness in the presence of others, rather than stress and anxiety.

 

Understanding

Goodness follows unity.

Recently I’ve discovered something truly wild: relationships take work (SAY WHAAAT?!). How crazy is that? So I find it kind of ironic that this verse mentions the goodness and pleasantness of living in unity, while not saying whether or not that’s easy. I know that’s not the point of the verse to tell us whether it is easy or difficult, but the point is: the work is well worth it. Take it from someone who thought relationships with people were kind of cliche, shallow, and necessary. Another thing to note here to… although we say or identify with a specific ministry or group within that ministry. As Pastor Gary mentioned a few Sundays ago: ministry is simply a chore in being a part of the family.

What does that mean, you may be wondering. Well let’s put it this way: it isn’t just a job to do on a Sunday. Serving goes way beyond that, and I would like to tie that in with today’s verse. Ministry goes ways beyond a single person or the job they execute. When ministry is run effectively being God’s people is so pleasant! Paul calls that the body of Christ an actual body that needs all its body parts. That after you’ve put in the hard work to achieve unity, goodness wherever you go will surely follow.

 

Life Application

I implore you to please look past your area of ministry as just a one and done deal. Jesus did not say that, that is what being a Christ follower is about, he and his disciples demonstrated it. The application of this verse is definitely easier said than actually done: be good to your fellow Christ followers. Put in the work and effort in getting to know them because God placed you in a particular situation for a reason. Most of the time that is to learn and grow from those around you. Let’s stand as one united front!

-Allison Khan