Disunity in Ireland has been reported in the media for decades, especially relating to ‘the Troubles’ in the North, but we also have this underlying tone of brokenness and disunity among our brothers and sisters in Christ. Within the Church, people have divided over doctrine, worship styles and denominations which has created a sense of pride, competition and suspicion.
A friend recently shared with me the Irish proverb “Ní neart go cur le chéile” which when translated means “there is no strength without unity”.
We read in Psalm 133:1-3:
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.
The oil that was poured over Aaron’s head was rich, fragrant and so abundant that it ran down his beard and on to his robes. God desire is to lavish a rich and abundant spiritual blessing on to us when there is unity among us as believers. When we live, work and minister together in unity we create a good and pleasant fragrance to those we come in contact with. The dew falling on Mount Hermon quietly descended from above, working gently and effectively yet refreshing, giving life and health to everything it touched. There is an underlying quiet joy and strength among believers when we live and work together. Unity is not only good for ourselves, but it’s good for our churches and communities. Like both the oil and the dew coming down, unity among believers is a gift from God that comes down to us from heaven by the Holy Spirit living inside of us.
Robin Mark, singer, songwriter and worship leader from Belfast sang a song you may be familiar with called “There is a Place of Commanded Blessing” (written by David Ruis). These are the lyrics:
There is a place of commanded blessing
Where brethren in unity dwell
A place where anointing oil is flowing
And we live as one.
You have called us to be a body
You have called us as friends
Joined together in the bond of the Spirit
Unto the end.
Father, we join with the prayer of Jesus
As You are so let us be one
Joined together in unity and purpose
All for the love of Your Son.
We will break dividing walls
We will break dividing walls
We will break dividing walls in the name of Your Son
We will break dividing walls
We will break dividing walls and we will be one.
As you pray today, why not listen to Robin’s song afresh. Pray it over your own life, home, family, community, church and over the land of Ireland, that we would see dividing walls broken down in His name.
Father, we ask You that You would unite Your children in Ireland in Your truth and Your Spirit, so Your blessing and anointing might be upon us. Amen