JULY 7
Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Psalm 133 offers a glimpse of something elusive yet beautiful: unity among God’s people. It’s not just “good”—it’s pleasant, anointed, and blessed. It flows down like oil, covers like dew, and draws the favor of God Himself. But unity doesn’t always come easily.
When I was called to serve Lewis and Clark Bible Church in June 1990, I walked into a fellowship deeply scarred by division. A 50-50 church split had left deep wounds, crippled ministry, and damaged its reputation in the community. Four pastors had come and gone over the previous decade, unable to mend what was broken.
A local pastor pulled me aside before I arrived and warned, “That church eats pastors.” Sadly, I soon saw what he meant. I met many who had worshiped at our church but had left—hurt by infighting, disappointed by division, and weary of the conflict. There was little hope left, and no quick fixes. I knew in my heart that only God could rebuild what had been lost.
And over the next 27½ years—that is exactly what He did. Not all at once, and not without struggle. But little by little, as we turned our eyes collectively toward Jesus, and grounded ourselves in His Word, God began to heal. He softened hearts, restored relationships, and renewed our vision. We learned together what it meant to truly love one another—not just in words or sentiment, but in grace, patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
As we pursued Christ, He united us. And as unity grew, so did health, joy, and effectiveness in ministry. The church’s reputation slowly shifted—from a place known for conflict to a place where people found devotion to Jesus and His Word and the love the Spirit bears. God’s blessing was tangible—not always flashy, but steady and sure.
Unity is not merely an ideal. It is a holy place, birthed in the unity of a triune God who commands His blessing. But even after healing comes, unity must be guarded. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:3 to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This kind of unity doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional effort, prayerful dependence, and continual surrender to Christ. It’s not something we create—it’s something we protect, preserve, and prioritize, because the Spirit of God is the one who births it.
“Unity is not something we create. It is something we recognize and preserve.”
— Francis Schaeffer
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Read Ephesians 4:1-3. What are the attitudes and actions that work to promote peace and preserve unity? Are you actively seeking God through His Word and looking to Jesus as the center of our unity, or are personal preferences or past wounds working to undermine your relationships?
LookingtoJesus 