How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

There is no better example of real unity than a chain. Each link in the chain is a separate piece and in many ways totally independent of all the others. Yet it must work in harmony with all of the others if it is to be useful. It of course is most closely related to the ones on each side. One link is no more important than another link but also no less important than the others. The chain can accomplish much that no single link could even dream of doing. In fact, the chain exists for the purpose of the accomplishment of the whole and not for each part. However, the chain is weakened to the point of the weakest link, no matter how strong the rest may be. This is the way it is for God’s people and especially in a local church. We are all there to serve the Lord and while one individual can serve God alone, it cannot be done with the same effectiveness as with a group. The church is God’s plan for his people to work together as a unit (unity). As with the chain, we must all work together even though we will probably have a closer relationship with the “links” that are nearest us most frequently. Each of us is equally important. Just because someone has a more public role than another (preacher, teacher, song leaders, etc) does not make that person any more important or more vital to the purpose that God has given. It is often the unnoticed who are quietly pulling their loads and giving the real strength to the group. God has planned the church to give us strength. Each of us can gain strength from the group as we work together. This is one reason why it is so important for us to attend every service possible. Each time I miss a gathering of the group to which I belong, I am missing out on strength and encouragement that I could have been given. I also am missing out on the opportunity to give this same strength and encouragement to someone else who needs it too. Serving God is not about me and what I can get or what I can do. Serving God is about what I can give. It is in this giving of self that God blesses us. Nothing thrills God more than unity among his family.

O God, please help me to give myself to you and to your service by giving myself to others in your name. Use me in the way that I am suited to serve and keep me from making excuses for not doing your will. Help me to use this life is to become more like you so I can fit into your home when I leave this place. Give me wisdom so I can be peaceable. In Jesus name I pray.
May God bless each of us as we serve him with a whole heart.