UNIFIED

Then the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities. And the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Ezra 3:1

I have recently been learning how to tune pianos. Much of the work is done by measuring sound waves; the length of each sound wave determines the pitch. The longer the wavelength, the lower the pitch, while the shorter the wavelength, the higher the pitch. Many of the piano keys have three strings. Therefore to properly tune the piano, all three strings must match perfectly for one clear sound. Failing to do so results in a warbling or muddy sound. But when all three strings match perfectly, there is a clear, brilliant sound.

Ezra records that as the Jews returned to Jerusalem after the 70 years of exile there was an overwhelming sense of unity – they were “gathered together as one man”. Such unity could only have been achieved because they were united toward a common goal – reinstating the public worship of God through the construction of the altar for sacrifices.

Such unity was also evident in the early church. “And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). Paul encourages the same unity in our churches: “if there is any fellowship of the Spirit… fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2).

When you gather for worship, do you strive to bring unity to your local church? Do you willingly set aside your own ambitions for the good of others? As you gather, remember that the primary purpose in life is to direct all worship to God, not self.

Philip Moeller