BROTHERLY LOVE
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Opening Prayer
Open my mind and heart as I come to your Word today, Gracious God. Use it to change me, to make me more loving, more thoughtful, more compassionate, more generous—more like my Savior, Jesus.
Read PSALM 133
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what ways do different fragrances impact you?Sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber, and orange blossom were added to oil sourced from olive groves at monasteries on the Mount of Olives to create the precious oil with which King Charles III was anointed at his coronation. The fragrance must have been overwhelming. Anointing with oil is an ancient symbol of blessing and consecration.
A very special fragranced oil was prepared and used to anoint Aaron, his sons, and their descendants as priests (Exodus 30:22–33). This was a symbol of God’s blessing and of their ordination; the oil made them holy. Unity between brothers is like this—fragrant and special to God. Although the psalm may have spoken originally about unity within natural families, it also speaks to us about the unity of Christian believers.
As a hospital chaplain, I often met patients who were more worried about their family’s problems than their own. Some would tell of adult children who had fallen out and did not speak to each other. If those kinds of things cause distress to human parents, imagine how God must feel when his children don’t get along. Mountain dew brings refreshment and enables vegetation to grow (v. 3). Unity among the household of God welcomes the blessing of growth and refreshment.
Apply
Is there any discord in your family? Is there anything you can do to bring healing? Is there a Christian brother or sister with whom you do not get along? What might you do to improve the relationship?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for each member of my family. I look to your help for harmony, and even unity, in our relationships. In my Christian community, help us to be an encouragement to each other as we seek to serve you together.
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