Today’s Tasting: Psalm 133: One of the many psalms written by David, Psalm 133 is also known as a song of Ascents. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (verse 1 ASV). David likens this unity to precious oil, such as the specially prepared oil that was used to anoint Aaron for his priestly appointment, and to the dew on the mountains of Zion. Finally, God commands the blessing on those who live together in unity.
Today’s Nourishment: The Matthew Henry Commentary says David may have been thinking of his sons when he wrote this psalm. He had many children with different wives, and the history of the Jewish people was changed forever because of the rivalry among David’s sons. It resulted in the division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death, a split that resulted in captivity for the children of God, with Israel captured by Assyria and Judah carried off to Babylon.
It is a cautionary tale for us today. Rifts and divisions among Christians make us less effective in reaching the world with the Gospel news. The apostle Paul wrote: “Let love of the brethren continue” (Hebrews 13:1). The love that he exhorts us to display toward one another is agape love, which is the kind of unconditional love that God Himself has for us.
If we look again at Psalm 133, we’ll see why we are told to love each other this way. The oil that was poured over Aaron’s head was a rare concoction. God himself had told Moses how to make it, and when Aaron was anointed with it, the air was filled with a sweet fragrance that delighted those around. I imagine this sweet fragrance also rose up to heaven and pleased Almighty God! That’s how our relationships with our fellow Christians should be: like a fresh aroma that delights those around us and pleases God.
David likened this brotherly love to dew—a cooling mist that falls gently and refreshes the ground. Our love for each other should be so pleasant and refreshing that it attracts those around us to want to know more about our faith.
And God never commands us to do something without also telling us what’s in it for us! Psalm 133:3 tells us that on the mountains where the dew fell, God commanded the blessing. When we spread our love like the dew on those around us, God promises that his blessing will fall on us. This is not a one-time blessing, like a pay raise. Note the Bible says God commanded “the” blessing. This is His promise for us to have eternal life with him and an abundant life here on earth (see John 10:10).
Tomorrow’s Delight: Psalms 106–107
Joanne Creary
Well Woman Coaching LLC
Yes, may our love for one another fill the air with a sweet fragrance to the Lord and others. How will you fill the air today with that sweet fragrance? Let’s intentionally choose acts of love throughout the day.
Yes it’s so important for us to show brotherly love. We want others to want the Jesus that’s living inside of us. Because we portray Jesus then we’ve got to make Him attractive. When we are kind and loving to others they are not the only ones blessed. Thank You Lord for the blessing.