Harmony Is Hardly Ever Heard But Mostly What I Need From You

12/14/2009 - Harmony Is Hardly Ever Heard But Mostly What I Need From You

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Harmony Is Hardly Ever Heard But Mostly What I Need From You

REFERENCE: Psalm 133:1-3 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Observation: How wonderful, and too often rare, when brothers and sisters in Christ are able to live together without conflict. Because it is precious, we need to do everything we can to maintain it. Satan will do his best to cause conflict. He knows that a church in conflict is a church that is not attending to it's mission in the world.
Sadly the history of the church is all about conflict. From it earliest days (even while the New Testament was being written) God's people were at each other's throats. So often the world looks at the history of the church and sees a lot more hatred than they do love.
We need refreshing and it is each of our jobs to be a center of harmony. If we hear a brother gossiping or tearing down someone else or even a different church or denomination, we should gently but firmly let them know that we don't agree with doing that. We should seek to be a peacemaker even betweens friends who are not harmonious. We should care enough to intervene to help.
Why should harmony matter to us? Because, as this scripture indicates, it is in the midst of harmony that God sends His blessing--the blessing we all need. The blessing that the church of Jesus Christ needs today.

Application/Confession: I have, at times, pursued the "truth" at the cost of harmony. Sometimes that must be done, but I did not do it with the love and gentleness that God would want me to use. I need, also, to never forget how important harmony is and to require it, lovingly yes, but firmly, of my self, my staff and of the brothers and sisters in the congregation that I pastor.

PRAYER: Teach me Lord to be a center of peace and harmony. Give me the wisdom to use my influence as a leader to always encourage peace and harmony. As I do I am looking for the blessing You promised.

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