This Psalm by David demands attention. Its opening word is “Behold!”
Here is something of such significance it is worthy to take time to see it, to think about it, to wonder how it could be, and why it should not be. Here is a startling and provocative reality!
Here we are encouraged to “Behold” a beauty beyond all others: the union of the saints all dwelling together in sweet communion and fellowship.
Why is this such a startling and provocative reality?
Well look around us, what do we see? We live in a world full of war and hate. We see divisions between nations, within nations. Maybe you have felt the divisions and hurts within your own family from time to time.
The Psalmist David knew it nationally and personally. When he became King of Israel after the death of Saul the Northern tribes rejected his reign, with the potential of civil war. In his own family as a father he saw the hostility between his sons, and knew it from his son Absalom against himself in his effort to wrestle the throne form his father.
David in time knew the joy of seeing the nation united under his leadership, but not within his family.
Maybe all of this made the unity he saw and participated in among genuine believers, whom he calls brothers, all the more precious. As that which is to be delighted in and to be maintained (Eph 4:3). Unity among the people of God is always fragrant and makes them appealing to unbelievers. But the odour of disunity will drive them away!
Jesus prayed “Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 11a, 20–21)
Under Christ’s leadership people of different race, gender, culture, backgrounds are united. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Eph 2:14).
Unity is a rare thing. This unity is a beautiful thing. This unity is Christ’s thing, and if we are in Christ it is our thing. We are a family in Christ. No Christian is an only child. We can’t thrive in isolation. We need to see our identity in the Body of Christ, and express it in the unity we have in Christ.