Weekly Devotional - June 14, 2013

"Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them

unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials

had ordered, following the word of the Lord."

2 Chronicles 30:12 NIV

 

King Hezekiah called all the Hebrew people to gather for worship. The kingdom was split and had been since Solomon died. The northern kingdom, Israel, had fallen to Assyria because they failed to honor God in worship. The southern kingdom, Judah, was nearing the same fate for the same reason. Hezekiah saw a chance to bring the nation together and back to God.

 

Messengers took the call into all the land. Jews in the north generally rejected the message but some responded favorably and humbled themselves. Those in the south joined in the assembly in Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that God brought them together in unity.

 

In the New Testament, Paul tells us that the Spirit gives unity and we are to keep it (Ephesians 4:3). Followers of Christ are blessed with the gift of unity, however we sometimes fail to keep it. When that happens what the church is designed to do is forfeited.

 

The church is designed to worship God. A break in unity keeps that from happening. The church is designed to fellowship. Unity is necessary for good community. The church is designed for mission. Christians must work together to be effective in ministry.

 

In Hezekiah's day the hand of the Lord provided unity so they could come together in worship. God does the same today for the same reasons.

 

What are you doing to keep the unity in your community of believers? The most important thing you can do is to seek the Lord on a daily basis. Draw near to him and he will bless you with many blessings, including unity.

 

What are you doing to break down unity in your church? Whatever that is, it is an attempt to undo or stall something God intends to do. That is a sin. Pray that God will forgive you and lead you into unity with other believers.