The Benefit of the Communion of Saints

This special meditation has been prepared by PRC home missionary, Rev. Aud Spriensma.

The Benefit of the Communion of Saints

Meditation on Psalm 133

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 that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

What an ascent from the first Song of Ascent and this fourteenth Song. In Psalm 120, the psalmist wrote, “My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” David knew by experience the bitterness occasioned by divisions in families and members of his kingdom. From war and lament, we now have a song of peace and pleasantness. How good and how pleasant and how profitable is the blessing of love and unity. May we learn from this psalm. Two pictures are given to us: the perfume poured out upon Aaron’s head and the dew of Hermon that descends to the mountains of Zion. “Behold!” We are to pause and gaze upon how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. God looks on with approval.

How good it is. How much better was the love between David and Jonathan than the envy in Jacob’s house, the hatred of the brothers against Joseph. What comfort when there is no strife. Yet we see all too often strife in families and in the church. This is not good nor pleasant. In the church there should be the communion of saints in fellowship and love. Unity reigns because of our oneness of life, oneness in Christ, and oneness of faith. Christian unity is good for ourselves and is good for our brethren. What a testimony it is for those outside that we are striving to bring in. It is hard to invite someone to our churches if we are busy beating each other up in the church. How pleasant when loving hearts can freely associate with others of like nature.

What is this love and unity like? The first picture is of oil poured out on Aaron the high priest’s head. It is a sweet perfume. It is the Spirit that came down upon our Lord Jesus. And that oil flows down to all of Christ’s body, the church. Its blessedness and pleasure is enjoyed by every member of his body. Love flows from the head and falls to the feet.

The second picture is of the dew that fell upon the higher mountain of Hermon. The moisture wafted down to the lesser hills, Zion. How refreshing and enlivening it was in its course. It gave life and growth for all the plants of grace. How copious and far reaching this dew is. It is God’s love to us in Christ Jesus. It enables us to love Him and love one another. How pleasant when God’s saints are one in opinion and judgment. They commune together and join together in duty, serving and glorifying God.

How profitable when God’s saints are bound together in love, instead of making war through strife and bitterness. We read, “for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." God commands His blessing where peace is cultivated. The blessing of blessings is “life evermore.” Do we desire the Lord’s blessing?

The Apostle Paul by the Spirit enjoins us, “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (II Cor. 13:11).