Psalm 133 (ESV)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 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!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
Christian unity is a blessing both for the Christian and for our Lord. Verse 2 tells us we are anointed in that unity. I attend two men’s groups each week: one is a prayer group of maybe 50 men. The other is a discussion group of about 40. Each group is obviously anointed by God to bring out truth, mutual concerns, and personal issues needing prayer. I think we all realize these are the benefits of such groups, but verse 3 tells us that such groups are also pleasing to our God. They are as refreshing to both him and to us as the dew of Hermon which falls on the mountains of Zion.
A guest speaker at our church once told us one reason our church is so vibrant and successful is the Men’s Prayer Group that meets on Saturday mornings. It brings blessings and anointing to the entire church, which otherwise might be missed.
These benefits can also be experienced in worship services, of course, but not as much interaction between individuals takes place.
A historical event came to mind when I was preparing this, so I thought I’d share it. It is the Forty Soldiers of Christ and took place in a.d. 320.
The Roman Twelfth Legion was stationed near the city of Sebaste in the northern portion of Armenia, which is now modern-day Turkey. The Roman governor for Armenia, Agricola, ordered all Roman soldiers to sacrifice to the emperor. There were forty members of the Twelfth Legion who were Christians and refused to perform the sacrifice. “We belong to Christ, and Him we serve,” they said.
Though their commander tried earnestly to persuade them to relent, they stood firm. So, the commander put them under guard and sent a messenger to Argicola asking what discipline should be handed out. The sentenced was to be death.
The commander then had the forty men stripped to the skin and marched out onto a nearby frozen lake to die. He also erected a shrine where the men could come at any time. Should they change their minds, they could sacrifice there, and a hot bath was also waiting. All would be forgiven, and they could return to their ranks.
During the night, the men encouraged each other with Scripture and prayers for strength. At one point a single man left the group and ran to the shrine to sacrifice, but the extreme temperature change from the freezing cold to the hot bath was too much and killed him.
From the group, it could be heard, “Now there are 39.” At that moment, the jailer who had kept them in custody while the men awaited sentence, tore off his clothing and ran to join the group still on the ice. He was heard to shout “No. There are 40 Christians.”
In the morning, those still living were executed except one, a young man who had been recruited from the village. His mother was asked if she could nurse him back to health. She flew into a rage. “How could I deprive my son the honor of standing before his Savior together with his fallen comrades to receive their crowns. Let him have the privilege of dying with them.”
Why is this important?
Christians in unity can provide strength and courage to one another. God will provide the anointing offered in Psalm 133 and loves those who stand for Him both in life and in death.
Matt. 10:32-33 (ESV) So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 