Psalm 133:1-2 –

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. (MSG)

My teenage son has introduced me to the delights of hair gel. Fashions move round; I had always associated Brylcreem with World War 2 fighter pilots. But people have always used oils and ointments on their heads, not just to keep unruly hair in order, but to indicate something special. Olive oil for anointing is still used in different church traditions as a symbol of the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

What Psalm 133 is saying is that when we get together and agree, God is pleased. Have you ever felt something a bit special and better when you went to a service or meeting which was not just for your own denomination but embraced others? That "something more" could be the blessing of God on his people in unity.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 is Aaron's blessing. Let us use this to pray for God's blessing on another church or Christian group, and not just our own!

Prayer: Lord, bless your church, in all her branches, with peace and grace. Help us to embrace all our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers for the wholeness and health of Christ's body. Bless all your people with peace. Amen.

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About the author:

John Faris <farisjohn@gmail.com>
Cork, Ireland
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