Celebrating Diversity
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
READ Psalm 133
At the 2019 graduation ceremony at a local
high school, 608 students prepared to receive their diplomas. The
principal began by asking students to stand when he read the name of the
country where they were born: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Bosnia . . . . The
principal kept going until he’d named sixty countries and every student
was standing and cheering together. Sixty countries; one high school.
The beauty of unity amid diversity was a powerful image that
celebrated something near to God’s heart—people living together in
unity.
We read an encouragement for unity among God’s people in Psalm 133, a
psalm of ascent—a song sung as people entered Jerusalem for annual
celebrations. The psalm reminded the people of the benefits of living
harmoniously (v. 1) despite differences that could cause division. In
vivid imagery, unity is described as refreshing dew (v. 3) and oil—used
to anoint priests (Exodus 29:7)—“running down” the head, beard, and
clothing of a priest (v. 2). Together, these images point to the reality
that in unity God’s blessings flow so lavishly they can’t be contained.
For believers in Jesus, despite differences such as ethnicity,
nationality, or age, there’s a deeper unity in the Spirit (Ephesians
4:3). When we stand together and celebrate that common bond
as Jesus leads us, we can embrace our God-given differences and
celebrate the source of true unity.
By Lisa M. Samra |
When have you experienced the goodness of unity in Christ? How has it brought blessing?
Heavenly Father, help me do my part to live in unity with all of God’s people.
Learn more about loving those who are different from you. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
David’s reign as king saw more than its
share of conflict, yet the theme of Psalm 133, which is attributed to
him, is unity. James Montgomery Boice proposes that perhaps David’s
coronation provided the inspiration for the psalm. The nation had been
divided under Saul’s leadership, and David’s ascension to the throne
likely infused the people with anticipation. A coronation marks a fresh
beginning, one filled with hope for unity under the new king.
This psalm of ascents makes two geographical references, both to
mountains. Mount Hermon, at 9,232 feet (2,814 m.) was the highest point
on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was far north of Mount
Zion in Jerusalem (elev. 2,510 ft., 765 m.). The imagery of dew from
snow-capped Hermon would resonate well with pilgrims walking the dusty
road to Jerusalem to celebrate the three annual festivals—Passover,
Pentecost (Festival of Weeks), and the Festival of Tabernacles.
Tim Gustafson
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