Read: Psalm 133

 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Nothing is more pleasing than when families live together in peace, love, and harmony. Family unity is nothing short of a blessing from God. It is often easier to live peaceably with friends and colleagues and neighbors than it is with family. Families live in close range to one another, and that kind of intimacy inevitably leads to a fair amount of relational bruising. Families can have such painful and long-running histories and hostilities that the slightest offense can set off explosive confrontations. There isn’t a family in the world—God’s family included—that doesn’t struggle to get along. In the midst of family squabbles and tension, unity can seem like nothing more than a pipedream. But unity is possible, and it should be highly prized and pursued at all costs. Like a holy and priestly blessing, like the life-giving morning dew, unity among family is not only refreshing, it is also life affirming and life enriching. Nothing is better than the loving embrace of family—God knows it and we know it too.

Is there unity within your family?

Lord, it is true that is it often easier to get along with total strangers than with family. It is also true that familial embrace and love are joys that surpass all others. You want unity within families—You desire unity within Your family. Help me work for those harmonious and pleasing relationships today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.