THE QUIET POWER OF LIVING IN HARMONY
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
Psalm 133:1 (NLT)
The psalmist describes harmony here as wonderful and pleasant. When I think of something wonderful and pleasant, I think of a great, home-cooked meal, a beautiful piece of art, or a perfectly designed basketball play. When God’s people live in harmony, something beautiful takes shape, something the world can recognize as unique and rare.
The author here isn’t mentioning how different brothers might be. I’ve got two boys, and let me tell you, harmony is rare! Harmony isn’t about being the same or agreeing about every little thing. It means choosing relationships, grace and love over things like conflict, taking offense and self-interest. Harmony requires a daily decision to stay committed to one another, even when it would be easier to pull away. That kind of shared life carries quiet power.
In a fractured world, people are looking for places where relationships truly matter and aren’t just transactional. Many have grown weary of division, cancel culture and walking away when things get hard. But people truly yearn for a community that lives differently. A community where people listen and value others, and share their lives with one another. Harmony becomes a witness to the world of God’s transforming work before a word is even shared about Jesus.
This is how Christian community truly reaches the world. The early church lived differently. Their unity, given by the Holy Spirit, formed a shared identity that challenged the norms of the world in which they lived. That early church was known by its love.
Harmony like this doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated by people who follow Christ and authentically live out the one another’s of Scripture. These people don’t get it right every time, but everyone knows and understands that in the community shaped by Christ’s love. A church that lives this way becomes a refuge for the people in the surrounding world, pointing towards a different kingdom.
God delights in communities that reflect His heart. When His people live together in harmony, the world catches a glimpse of what a world under the reign of Christ truly looks like.
APPLICATION: Reflect on your role within your community. Where can you pursue harmony today? Is there someone you can forgive or encourage? Ask God to help you contribute to a shared life that reflects His love.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us into life together. Teach me to pursue harmony with humility and grace. May our community reflect the beauty of Your Kingdom to those around us. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?