Let’s face it – 2020 has been a strange year.
But God was not surprised by all the events that have happened.

Would you join me in a four-week countdown to Thanksgiving?
When we stop for a moment, we realize we have much to be thankful for.

¹ Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
² It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.

(Psalm 133:1-3, English Standard Version)

I am thankful for God’s blessing of unity when we worship Him together.

King David starts with an announcement, a proclamation of the benefits of worshipping together as one community.

This is not a numbers game, to see how many people would show up to worship God at the same time. Nor was this about looking the same on the outside, where everyone dresses and acts the same. Rather, this was about being of one heart and mind, one community, worshipping the Lord together.

Note that the focus is outward toward the Lord, not inward toward the individual or the various groups represented in the community. When we choose to focus on the Lord rather than ourselves, He provides His blessing and meets our needs.

David paints two images in our imaginations – one of Aaron’s anointing as a servant of God, and the other of the dew that falls on the mountains. Both are meant to signify a divine blessing, showing the favor of God on those who gather as one.

When we choose to live in community, the life of the community is preserved and extended indefinitely. When we choose selfishness and disharmony, the life of the community is cut short and the community may even die.

Just as the oil of blessing on Aaron that runs down from his head to his beard, and all the way down to his clothes, and the dew on the mountains that runs down to the valleys below, God’s favor and blessings are shared with many and are distributed throughout the community. There is no lack, no want – God shares abundantly and freely with those who worship Him.

Here’s another paraphrase that may be an encouragement to you:

^1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful,
    when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil
    flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
    flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
    flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
    ordains eternal life.

(Psalm 133:1-3, The Message Bible)

Lord, thank You for this mental imagery of Your blessings upon those who unite to worship You.

Lord, thank You for a calling greater than ourselves, as You bid us come to You and experience the joy of meeting with You alongside others of the same heart and mind.

Lord, I confess that I don’t always have the right attitude, and am sometimes selfish or focused on something or someone other than You. Lord, help me remember that You meet my needs, and I am free to join others in worshipping You, trusting You for the cares of this life.

Jesus, thank You for Your reminder to seek God’s kingdom first, and Your righteousness, and You will take care of our needs (Matthew 6:33).

Amen.

Looking forward to the next opportunity to worship in unity,
~kevin