"How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" Psalm 133:1
Another song to sing on the trip upward to Jerusalem. Can you hear the music? Can you hear God's children singing in one accord, in harmony? My mind's eye can see the scene. I can remember times of discord among the children of Israel. It has not been too long since we read of the fighting among the 12 tribes. Now David celebrates the absense of that strife.
Harmony, it is something we all long to have. Harmony is a state of oneness, the absense of diversity. David describes harmony in two ways. First, he says harmony is precious, as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head. Do you remember when Aaron was anointed as the first priest? He was clothed in the newly God-designed, hand-crafted priestly garments and stood in front of the whole assembly of Israel. The anointing oil had a sweet aroma that filled the air. When there is no discord or divsion there is a sweetness in the air.
Secondly David describes harmony as refreshing, refreshing as the dew from Mt. Hermon that falls on Mt. Zion. Dew is a form of rain. It refreshes the ground and helps plants grow when there is little rain. Just like dew refreshes the earth so does harmony refresh the lives and souls of His children.
Harmony is wonderful and pleasant but also difficult at times to achieve and maintain. In Psalm 141 David calls out to God pretty specific requests. As I reflect on harmony and the part I could play in achieving and maintaining it, I cry out the same plea:
- Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. (4)
- Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. (4)
- Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.(4)
Oh, LORD, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help! Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering. Amen (Psalm 141:1-2)
7 Comments:
Wendy, this verse has such continued encouragement for me. Right now, spending time with my family daily as we visit Dad and try to make decisions on his behalf, I know the Lord desires I continue to live in harmony with my family. Not always easy. I realize this doesn't mean that we have to agree on everything, but like a commentary I read said, "there will be many opinions, just as there are many notes in a musical chord. But we must agree on our purpose in life - to work together for God. Our outward expression of harmony will reflect our inward harmony of purpose."
Beth Moore writes, "God often uses other people as the chisel to carve true integrity into our rough personalilties. A chisel that never scrapes the stone is useless."
There will be times when our thoughts will differ, yet we can still express ourselves calmly, listen intently and come away in unity, surrendering ourselves to God in obedience. Unity does not equal uniformity. We need to hold on to precepts, but let go of preferences.
The verse that I'm writing about today is from Psalm 131. "I don't concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp."
Deut 29:29 reminds us that, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."
There are things we will never know or understand this side of heaven. The things God has revealed I am accountable for, but the secret things belong to God. There are times when we should be at a loss for words. Ecc. 5:2 reminds us to let our words be few.
This verse also encourages me to avoid vain contraversy and keep from becoming involved in matters I will never truly fathom. Questions that involve why God allows a child to be abducted or murdered...why there is abuse...why there are drive-by shootings...why planes hit towers...why there are famines...why my Dad was given a medication that triggered dementia. These things are "too great" and "too difficult" for me.
Sometimes the most truthful thing we can say is, I don't know why this has happened, but I'm so very sorry.
Lord, keep me from the pain that questioning Your ways brings. Keep me focused on Your absolute turths. Help me to trust Your heart, when I don't begin to understand Your hand,
Joy
"Together in Harmony" has such a peaceful, loving sound to it. Someday, in Heaven it will be possible 24/7. Today, we do the best we can with God's help thru his Word and The Holy Spirit's guidance.
A friend and I have commented that we can fully understand monks choosing the life they lead....not having to encounter the outside world and it's forces and the people and the daily grind of dealing with them. Yet they lose out too; they lose the chance to grow in this area and to be refined by Christ thru our dealings with people. To learn lessons given to us by our Father. We fail; we repent, get up again and give her another try to live in harmony. For me the challenge is finding the fine line between loving others (which is the greatest job God's given us) and speaking the truth in love. Speaking the truth (which usually means disagreeing with someone) and not loosing the love and harmony. Now that's tough!
Lord Jesus, grant us Your desire for harmonious lives. Temper our tongues and quiet our minds and hearts first before we speak. Thank you for Jesus teaching us true harmony. Amen.
Morgen
Sweet Wendy...you spoke to me today with the verse that God gave you! It's exactly what I needed to hear; God is amazing to me how He speaks to me through you. I pray often that He will fill you to the brim with His Spirit, and I know he's answering my prayers.
I love thinking about the sound of the joyful praise to God, as the people sang these psalms journeying to Jerusalem. Can't you just visualize them all singing their hearts out!
"Living together in harmony!" oh, how that is on my mind this week. We are making plans to move my 92-year old grandma into an assisted living home. The details, miraculously (God) have fallen into place each day as I seek His guidance. He has orchestrated the whole thing. It's a beautiful home located in an orange- citrus grove. There are full-time people in the home that look after every need of the resident. The care is phenomenal. It's one mile from my home! I pass by the street daily...and the funny thing is, my uncle moved in yesterday! [there are now 3 ladies and my uncle, living in this home]. My Uncle (my father's brother) and my Dad have not spoken in over 20 years! I see God's hands all over this. When my Dad visits Mema, (my grandma), he'll see his brother! So much is happening in our family. Girls, never give up...God hears us pray to him re: family issues. My dad going to church & now the thought of him reconnecting with his earthly brother (who also happens to be a Christian!) Remember, my Mema is not saved either! The owner of the home is a praying gal also...Oh, so sweet to see what's in the future...but, I have been so emotional too. I guess the thought of Mema going to her "next and last place of residence." We have always been very close. I talk to her or see her everyday.
So, see this 'harmony' verse is just what God ordered for me. I've been praying this week that Mema will feel peace in her "new home." A lot of changes for a 92 year old. Now, I'm praying for harmony! Harmony between her and the people in the home...harmony between my dad and his brother...Oh Lord...how I lean towards You. Things on my plate, out of my control...oh, that You would take over and continue to allow the details to fall into place. It's a busy time for me now. My Dad and husband's bdays next week...kids finishing up school next week...my dad's heart surgery in a couple of weeks...and now the details of moving Mema. Give me strength oh Lord. Continue to tell me what to do. Help me not feel exasperated. Inhale. Exhale. Help me always look to You. Thank you Lord for hearing me. Thank you Lord for providing answers to me. Thank you Lord for Your precious Word! All day long, I seek to be in Your Presence. Amen.
Loving each of you today. Thank you so much for your comments. Each of you is a blessing to me.
Joy, loved what you wrote and pictures at the beach! They've stayed in my heart. We have so much to praise the Lord for, dear sisters!
Have a blessed weekend, girlfriends! :) Lori - AZ
Lori
God bless your prayers for me. He hears them and answers. Many times after a long and trying day I sit down to write, almost with tears in my eyes, wondering, "What I am going to say?" The Lord quickly reminds me, as He leads me from place to place, that I have nothing to write, that it is He who has something to say and that I am only His vessel.
Bless you and everyone who has prayed for me. God is proving Himself faithful, but what else should be expect from our amazing God!
Wendy and Joy both spoke to my heart today! There has been so much to soak in this week - and I will be re-reading over the weekend to find more of the nuggets that I missed the first time around. Some days I can ponder, and other days it's enough to do the daily reading. For this reason, I am thankful for the insights that everyone shares!
I don't have computer access over the weekend, so praying y'all have a blessed, harmonious weekend!
"How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" Psalm 133:1
Harmony is such a beautiful picture of what we strive for in our walk as Christians. For me in my quest for harmony if one element is off it is like oil and water trying to mix together, it doesn't mix no matter what I do.So I have to make sure all the pieces are right in my Christian walk.
My sight
My words
My heart
My mind
My spirit
My desires
For me being in harmony with the Lord is all I desire.
I have been soaking in your precious words this week ladies.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Love you gals,
Diane
Those verses both from Ps. 133:1 and 141:1 stood out to me also today! I'm reading Jim Cymbalas book The Church God Blesses, and they all really tie together! Blessings on your weekend!
Raylene
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