For they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them;
they are the strong arm of the children of Lot.
As Cape Community Church transitions into a self-supporting church in the Bible Fellowship Church denomination, we look back on the unity in the Transitional Leadership Team that helped make this happen. I am also mindful of the fragility of that unity but also that not all unity is good. The Psalmist wrote here of a united front but it was of the enemies of God’s chosen people, Israel. Paul would face a united attack by enemies in Acts 23. The difference between their unity and ours is that they attack the covenant with God so are against God. Our unity is covenant unity with God through the Holy Spirit which provides and protects our unity.
As we go forth into a turbulent future, we will need to be even more convinced of our calling and our need to go into battle together, not alone. If we learned one thing from the pandemic, it is that it is not good to be alone. Many social pathologies from the past three years are just now being known, the hopelessness and nihilism of out youth among the top of that list. They need community so let us today model that for them so they can see that there is hope in the world. We can do that together.
Dear Lord, thank you for the unity that comes only from you and bring us into unity with you. Help us to be united for our youth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.