Psalm 132-134 The Love Of God's People

Psalm 133 is entitled “The Love Of God’s People” in my Bible, and begins, “It is good and pleasant when God’s people live together in peace.”  My commentary noted that David inherited a divided nation and almost a civil war, but then the Lord gave him a united kingdom.  “Individual believers and churches today also have family quarrels and need to learn to walk together in love.” 

The sidebar of my Bible, by Paul Stevens from Disciplines of the Hungry Heart, gave a very meaningful illustration:

“I had a vision one day while our church was worshipping.  As I looked around at the people I have come to love, I saw that each was an earthen vessel, a real mud pot … But as I continued to look, in prayer and worship, I looked ‘into’ each mud pot, and what I saw was exquisite molten gold.  Each person, frail, vulnerable, and half-fashioned, had a treasure inside.  But then I saw something more – each pot was cracked.  Finally I looked again and saw something miraculous:  the molten gold was oozing through the cracks.  That is how ministry comes into the world, not poured out of expensive vases, but through the orifice of the faults and weaknesses of real people who are being transfigured by Christ … Relational life is not a mere accessory to spirituality or ministry, but the heart of it.  Finding unity within diversity because of the diversity, and not in spite of it, is an important link with the unity within God Himself and is both a mark of spirituality and true ministry.”

It also encouraged, “Work to become unified.  Don’t avoid conversations that are necessary to make peace, but resist the temptation to become angry.  Be quick to forgive and careful in your response.  Hear the whole story first, then respond.  Your opinions may differ, but part as friends.”

Father, help us to do this at our church at all times.  Draw us together in Your unity.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford