The Power of Community!

“…Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore...…” Psalm 133

Two of the most over-used words in Christiandom are “Personal Relationship.” While it is true that God is longing for ALL to be in a “personal relationship” with Him, many Christians have misused their “personal relationship” with God by disregarding the right-standing of brotherly responsibility. Moreover, many of us have forgotten the true value fellowship, unity, discipleship, and community. I believe it is essential that the Christian experience is to be lived out within the structure of true fellowship. In fact, I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE for a single Christian to obtain the correct applications of his faith without the impact and Power of Community.

What the Psalmist says in 133 about this subject is phenomenal, and it communicates some very important truths that will free us from the bondage of our own thinking – a bondage that has tricked us into believing that we can make it without each other! First, he says that it is “…Good and Pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity….” The word Good in this passage is the word “Towb” (toeb) which is a beneficial agreement – one that brings welfare, prosperity, and personal betterment. The word Pleasant is the word Na`iym (naw-eem) which is an agreement that produces singing, music, sweet sounds, and a beautiful countenance.

Further in this portion of the text, the Psalmist says that this good and pleasantness is when “…brethren dwell together in unity….” Brethren here is NOT simply a blood relative, but a “Kinsman”, Fellow Tribesman or person of reciprocal relationship… from the Hebrew word, “ach” (awkh). Therefore, this person (considered Brethren) is also a person beyond the masculine gender, beyond my biological family line, and reach even to my wife or husband (also Brethren) in reciprocal relationship. Unity is the word “Yachad” (yakh-ad) which means to be ALL together to the point of looking alike. WOW!

But wait! Look at the imagery in this text! “…it is like the ointment [anointing] that ran down Aaron’s beard to the skirts of his garment…As the dew of Hermon… that descended upon the mountains of Zion….” To understand these metaphors, you must read the significance of Aaron’s anointing (found in Deuteronomy 28, 29 & 30). He was ordained a High Priest, and was given the anointing approval from head to toe. This anointing signified the blessing of God in ALL he was to do and to whom he was to do it. In other words, Aaron was called to Community Empowerment! The “Dew” was a misty rain that appeared in deepest night, and just prior to daybreak. It was essential for helping the first fruits of buds in ALL growth/vegetation to come forth. It was the purest of rain because it would ONLY appear in or around the places where life was growing.

My God, what is this saying to us about the Power of Community? Essentially, it says that our coming together is so awesome and transforming that it causes me to be impacted by the growth that is around me. In addition, this growth around me reaches me inwardly, in my darkest hours, and in my times when I am trying with all I know to breakthrough. Community also does FOR ME what it does THROUGH ME, and thereby creates IN ME the capacity to ensure the production of my BROTHER who is (or should be) BESIDE ME. In this COMMUNITY application, we will know for ourselves what the Psalmist concludes in this text:

“…For THERE the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore….”

Grace & Peace,
Roc