Who doesn’t want a blessing? Who isn’t looking for good things to come their way, especially in difficult times? I’m guessing no one. But I’m also wondering this morning if sometimes we fail to realize the source of blessing which, as the people of God, is perhaps most within reach.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

(Psalm 133:1-3 ESV)

Songwriter’s subject? Brothers, and sisters, dwelling in unity. People of the same tribe hanging together in harmony. Those in relationship with one another, because of their relationship to Another One, who remain in oneness.

What’s true about the subject?

It’s good and pleasant. It’s becoming and delightful. It rings of how things were meant to be. Men and women never wired to be alone. God declared of all He created, “It is good.” So too, is unity among His creation. And how often have we come away from time with others in our spiritual family and declared of our time together, “The fellowship was sweet!”

And speaking of sweet, it’s like the oil used to consecrate those who would enter the holy of holies. As the oil, picturing the Spirit of God, was poured on those called to be priests, it’s covering spoke of consecration, a setting apart. But it’s sweet, fragrant aroma would also declare an invocation, a calling to a task. That together, the people of God were to pursue what it practically looks like to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk. 10:27).

As such, it’s also like the dew that would fall on the holy hill. Living water, almost imperceptible yet widely spread, which refreshes. An unending supply. A key component allowing good soil to bear much fruit.

And finally, it’s where the Lord has commanded the blessing. Whether “there” is referring specifically to Zion, or “there” is the place where unity is experienced, I don’t think the meaning is much changed. Where brothers and sisters dwell in unity, where the anointing fragrance of oneness is present, where the renewing dew of Hermon is falling, there God has commanded the blessing, life evermore.

Read it and weep! God commands His blessing where God’s people are together in unity! A blessing is right there within our grasp.

But I weep somewhat this morning, because of how many of us have relegated “dwelling in unity” to an hour or two once a week. And even then, spending most of that time shoulder to shoulder in a church service, rather than face to face in interactive fellowship. Having abandoned the hospitality afforded by our homes while settling only for the services we consume in our sanctuaries.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all about gathering on the Lord’s day as the church for corporate worship and edification. I’m a fan. I’m sold on it’s importance. But I’m also noticing how many are longing to again be with their brothers and sisters in Christ and lament they are unable to because the doors to the church building haven’t yet opened. Failing to even consider that, as quarantines are lifted, and safe practices are suggested, they can know the blessing the LORD has commanded, even now, by dwelling with one another in their own homes.

The early church, day by day, attended the temple together AND broke bread in their homes (Acts 2:46). They worshiped God and then they fellowshipped with one another. And in those homes, if I’m picking up what the songwriter’s laying down, it was sweet. It was anointed. It was refreshing. It was a blessing.

Oh, that the church might rediscover the blessing that is right under our noses. The blessing of not just being in unity, but of being together in unity. That, while we wait for church buildings to open, believers would open their own buildings and would redisover the lost jewel of hospitality.

For there the LORD has commanded the blessing.

And who doesn’t want a blessing?

Because of grace. For His glory.