“How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity . . .” (Psalm 133:1). Movies have been made about family vacations. In your experience, did lengthy family trips lead to unity or division? We may cite examples on both sides. Someone said a little time together is great, but a long time can become difficult. This sounds right to me. But the beginning is usually wonderful!
As Israel set out on their journey together, they began with obedience. Imagine a crowd the size of a large city traveling across the wilderness. But they started well, with obedience. They did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. What was the result? God’s people set out together right on time, 430 years to the day that they had come to live in Egypt.
Unity is easier at the start than in the middle or end of the journey. How do we maintain unity? It begins with obedience to the Lord. Unity must be cultivated like a flower. We should listen closely to our tone as we speak to each other. Perhaps the best analogy is Tozer’s example of trying to get one hundred pianos in tune with each other. One could try to match them to each other, or one could match all of them to the same tuning fork. Once the pianos are in tune with the tuning fork, they are in tune with each other. Just so, as we align ourselves with the Spirit, we will find that we are aligned and united with each other.
