(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)   

[Theme] The Beauty of Harmonious Cohabitation 

David was amazed at the sight of brothers and sisters together, gathered before God, and living in harmony!  He said that the Lord ordained a blessing, that is, eternal life.  In this poem,  he also cited two metaphors as examples of harmony:  goodness and beauty. 

One example is when God established a priesthood system for man, and Moses poured a precious anointing oil on the head of the High Priest Aaron –  a sweet fragrance from the opening of the container.  The High Priest represents the mediator between God and man – bringing sinners before God and God’s forgiveness to man.  We know that true harmony comes from the forgiveness of sins freely given by God through Jesus Christ.  

Another example is the nectar of Mount Hermon descending on Mount Zion.  Mount Hermon is a mountain range located on the north side of Palestine, more than 9,000 feet above sea level.  The top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round.  It is also the birthplace of the four main tributaries of the Jordan River.  When the humid air blows from the north to the south, and to the lower Zion Mountains, it can form nectar and make the ground rich with moisture.  Let us think of this as a blessing brought about by God’s creative power:  to care for the laws of all things.   

Whether it is the forgiveness of sins represented by the High Priest or God’s creation of all things and their regular operation, there are the blessings that God has promised. And, what kind of picture can reflect such grace? The poet tells us that it is the harmony between people living together! 

[Meditation] 

For the picture of the precious oil poured on Aaron’s head and the black nectar descending on Mount Zion, we can only appreciate it through imagination.  However, we can feel the beauty of brothers and sisters living in harmony.  It turns out that the Lord has ordained this blessing – a taste that can only be fulfilled through Christ – a little of heaven on earth. 

God attaches great importance to our relationship with our brothers and sisters, and as long as we have harmony and unity between us and live out a beautiful life, we can naturally emit a sweet fragrance.  Then, others will certainly be able to feel God’s goodness through us.   

[Prayer] 

Cherish my life in the Lord, strive to preserve the unity of the Holy Spirit, and ask God to help me become a man of keeping unity, not destroying unity.  

[Memory Verse]   

Psalm 133:1  Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!