Strength In Unity

487 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:10-12, “And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. 11 Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight." (2 Sam 10:10-12) What a picture of Christian responsibility in the area of spiritual battles. When a brother or sister is in the midst of spiritual battle and they are being overcome by the enemy, we need to come alongside them with prayer, exhortation, and loving correction when necessary. Joab encourages his troops to “man up” and be strong not for themselves but for the sake of the people and the cities of our God.” The idea of being strong here is that of fastening onto something and that speaks of unity. Joab is saying, “let's get on the same page and see what God will do. This fully aligns with that beautiful message in Ps 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-Life forevermore.” God loves a unified front in His church and commands a blessing wherever He finds it. Jesus emphasized this truth in His priestly prayer found in Joh 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. So God not only commands a blessing for unity in His church, but this display of unity or strength is a great aid to evangelism! More on this subject of unity next time. Father, help us to develop this kind of strength in Your church, that the world may better know Jesus.