For many years, my Dad was saddened by a rift that had occurred between two of his cousins, lads who Dad had grown up with and with whom he was very close. Something harsh had come between these two men, and for many years, they never spoke or made any effort to contact each other. One of the brothers had remained in Nova Scotia, but the other lived in Ontario, and they were getting on in years. Dad made up his mind to do something about the situation. He contacted the cousin who was living in Nova Scotia and told him to prepare for a trip to Ontario. The two men travelled to the town where Dad’s other cousin lived, and the two brothers were reconciled. They remained in close touch until separated by death. Dad always considered reuniting those two men one of the happiest tasks he had ever undertaken. He understood the importance of unity and harmnony among brothers. How much more important is unity and harmony among the Lord’s people!
In every Assembly there are some who don’t get along the best with some others. Personalities clash and differences are grating; all that is natural and not surprising. But sometimes grudges are held, or offenses taken; these are not normal for Christians and are of the devil. They destroy harmony, peace, and fellowship among the Lord’s people. They rob God of two of the very reasons why He has ordained our Assemblies: the fragrance of worship and the blessing of fruitfulness.
In this tiny but sweet Psalm, David lists two lovely pictures to which he likens the harmony among brethren. The precious ointment that flowed down Aaron’s head to his beard and all the way down his garments is like the fragrance of worship that envelopes companies of believers when we gather to break bread. There is delight for the souls of the saints, and delight to the nostrils of God, delight that is dulled and dimmed if there is no unity among those gathered. The dew on Mount Hermon descended in streams that refreshed the fields and gardens below, resulting in bountiful harvests that sustained life and pleased the palates of those who partook. Without the dew, those fields and gardens would be as barren as service among the Lord’s people when there is no unity, when there are hard feelings, when there are unresolved disputes.
Would we know the sweetness of worship and the fulness of blessing? Let us sweeten our attitudes toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. -Jim MacIntosh