WEDNESDAY'S WORD
Greetings to all Gods Children,
Today’s word is UNITY
Remember the Levi Strauss & Co logo? Two horses, going in opposite directions with a pair of Levi blue jeans secured between them, showing the strength of the blue jeans. What is really being accomplished? Nothing! Why? The horses are pulling in opposite directions. Now, if those jeans are that strong, imagine what the pioneers could do if they had the jeans tied between the horses and got the horses pulling in the same direction! Put those jeans around a stump and pull up the stump. Put a plow blade in the jeans and prepare a field or garden. Put those jeans around logs and haul them to erect a cabin. So much could be done if the horses were pulling in the same direction! But since they are pulling in the opposite direction, what is being accomplished? NOTHING!
Psalm 133 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.”
What Are the Benefits of Unity?
It is scriptural. After Jesus prayed for His apostles, He prayed for all believers. That includes you and me. He prayed that we “all may be one” (John 17:20-23). Paul directed Corinth “that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). He wrote to Ephesus that they must endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Peter directed Christians towards the goal of unity by commanding that we “have fervent love for one another,” “be hospitable to one another,” and “minister” one’s gifts “to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:8-10). Solomon wrote that “two are better than one” and “Woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Eccl. 4:9-12).
When we think of what Jesus prayed for, what Paul and Peter wrote, Solomon’s admonition—and realize that’s what we’re doing—it is a great benefit.
It provides strength. As Solomon wrote above, two are better than one. If one falls, his companion will lift him up. When faced with being overpowered by another, two can withstand him. “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
It provides serenity. Calmness, comfort, and goodness are benefits of unity. As the psalmist said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Paul told the Thessalonians, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). When spouses are truly united, one has the tranquility of a peaceful home (cf. 1 Pet. 3:1-7).It provides success. God used the Babylonians in destroying Judah and its capitol city, Jerusalem, because of their disobedience. Jerusalem was in ruins. However, Cyrus, king of Persia, allowed some of the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Ezra led the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of the Law of Moses. Years later, Nehemiah was sent to Judah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, a very large task. The people were united. We read, “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (Neh. 4:6), and then, “So the wall was finished…in fifty-two days” (Neh. 6:15). This monumental task of rebuilding the wall was successful because the people were united and had a mind to work, and it took only 52 days!
“Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
Imagine the great things that can be done for the glory of God if we are united with God and one another! I pray that you continue to be a blessing to one another for two are truly better than one.
Faithfully Yours,
Cindy Jacobs,
Pastor
positivegifts1@aol.com
240-832-2482