In the journey to Jerusalem to worship at the house of the Lord, the pilgrim is with friends and family, and they are enjoying the fellowship of being together with a common objective – the worship of God. There would be brotherly solidarity and family contentment as they journeyed. It is the same with a nation. National strength comes from being unified in purpose, practice, and loyalty. The unity of a nation, an assembly, and a family makes each fruitful. Unity has power and value, but it doesn’t just happen automatically. The commitment to unity is a choice made on the part of many. Division and dissension take away that which gives spiritual life and energy.
Unity is precious and pleasant. It is important to make an assembly of believers a positive example to a divided and watching world. It produces cooperation among the Lord’s people and gives joy and a sense of what it will be like when God’s children are in heaven. It also energizes the Lord’s people involved in the work of the kingdom of God. It eases tension that eats away at vitality and spiritual energy. The “precious oil” is an example of consecration on the part of each believer that sets saints apart for the use of the Lord in fellowship with others under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “The dew of Hermon” was an unusually heavy dew that produced and maintained life.
Unity does not mean that everyone always agrees on every issue because there are differences of opinion. But it does mean that we agree on our purpose for existence and our objectives as a company of God’s people. Outward unity expresses inward purpose. On fundamental matters, there is agreement. On lesser matters, there is the liberty for different opinions, but in everything, there is brotherly love.
In a body, guidance comes from the head. All body parts are controlled by the head, even though they are different. All parts obey the head, and that creates unity in diversity. Together, there is power and effectiveness. So, as Bible-believing Christians, we should agree on the basics, and if there are disagreements, we should not be disagreeable, jealous, condemning, or hateful. We must “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It is not just the unity of our family unit or clique that separates us from other believers.
The priesthood of believers is a beautiful thing. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are united in fellowship with other believers and with a common purpose. The precious oil poured on Aaron, the priest, would create a sweet smell that would benefit all close by as they smelled its aroma. The unity of consecrated people is a blessing to many, not just those close by the ties of nature. Growth and fruitfulness in the Christian life are revived and maintained by our devotion, which is like the life-giving heavy dew of Hermon. Unity is a refreshment to those who walk together in fellowship with each other. That is how the Gospel message has spread across the world. There is the nurturing of our present natural and spiritual life when the unity of believers spreads divine truth to those who need to hear it.
Unity is good and pleasant. Unity has the spiritual fragrance of joy and gladness. Unity is refreshing and satisfying. Unity guarantees God’s blessing because He commands a blessing where brethren dwell together in unity. David had experienced a lot of disunity in his life. How blessed we are when happy and holy fellowship is essential for unity and guides our worship and service of our Lord. Then we worship the Father “in spirit and truth.” Unity is a wonder to behold. Pilgrims from all directions were coming together, even without seeing each other, because of a common goal. To have both “good” and “pleasant” together is not always common unless it is under divine guidance and authority.
PSALM 133 THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE PILGRIM v.1. The Premise. “Behold, how good and pleasant…” v.2-3. The Principle. “Like precious ointment… as the dew…”