20/09/2017: Psalm 133 | “A United Family of Man” | Pastor Colleen Stringer

Psalm 133 NIV David. Theme of unity.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people 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 on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Historical and Geographic Setting:

It is believed that this Psalm was written on or for the occasion of the nation’s coming together at the coronation of David becoming the King of both the southern and the northern kingdoms of Israel. David also wrote this Psalm instructively to his sons, who had become antagonistic towards each other. As a father filled with wisdom, writing it to his sons who are family but acting like enemies.

  1. Family Relationships: It may possibly evoke some rattling thoughts and touch a nerve or two or even bring up for healing things we have pushed deep into our subconscious. That is unless you live in virtual solitary confinement or consider you have or had the perfect family. When we experience the “good and pleasant” within families it is quite different to the “negative and unpleasant” that many have to live with. Families that can love passionately and can tangle passionately. God’s word is meant for real families and real problems. People that live in Realville. No wonder they prayed and sang Ps 133 in faith!

What are a few of the most challenging imperfections within your close or extended family? Why is family more complicated than chosen friends?  

You see, family is ordinary acquired rather than chosen. You can choose your friends but you’re stuck with family. “Friends are family you got to choose.”

Have you ever looked in the mirror and that family person looked back at you?

There again, if we only choose to be around those who require virtually nothing hard from us, there will be no character development or Christ-like change in our lives. Learning to endure hardship and inconvenience with people is critical to the process of becoming a whole person.

  1. Mending Fences

Here’s the catch…which I had to catch big time “God choose our family even if we didn’t.” Genesis 50: 20 Joseph and brothers Psalm 27: 10 when my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 1 Corinthians 13: 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became an adult, I put away childish things.

H         Theology of forgiveness: Perfectionism…lower your expectations: Don’t preach to them…

Keep on keeping on: Don’t allow in-laws to become outlaws:Humble yourself… Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Quote from the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary: The family is a crucial institution. It affects everyone, for good or ill. By its very nature, it can be the place where one experiences and learns intimacy, love and growth, or it can be the place where one experiences and learns resentment, abuse, and destructive behaviour.

Many of us grew up with a mixed bag of love and hurt.  With God’s help we have lived through it and continue in the healing process to be more Christ like, which through His love, forgiveness, word and power of the Holy Spirit makes it possible to love what at times seems like the impossible as we follow his guidance.