Solidarity
W. Hoyt, D. D. Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!… Solidarity is but another name for unity, How the solidarity — the interrelation, the interdependence — of our twentieth-century life, by means of which we are enabled to know so much more, do so much more, be so much more, than men could when seas were separations instead of chances for ferries, when telegraphs did not make the round world throb, puts emphasis on the power and blessing of the unity which is the psalm's theme. I. WHAT THIS UNITY IS. 1. It is not a levelling uniformity. It does not mean that one gathered into the unity must think, feel, do, precisely as does every other one also gathered into it. There is large chance for individuality in a real unity. 2. It does not mean an outward and iron compulsion. A minister was once asked if his Church were united. "Yes; all the members of it are frozen stiff together." That was not unity. 3. It is association. In a real Christian unity there is a holy tendency toward this togetherness. 4. It is a general and including similarity of aim and feeling. 5. It is variety of gift and service, each ministering in its own way to the common end (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). 6. It is mutual esteem. 7. Mutual forbearance. 8. Co-operation for the best interests of the brotherhood. II. WHAT THIS UNITY DOES. 1. It attracts (ver. 2). It diffuses its gracious influence far and wide, and at the same time calls into the sphere of its influence. People love to come to it and be with it. How true this is of a thoroughly harmonious and united Church! 2. It refreshes (ver. 3). It brings the refreshing of shared, of achieving, of rejoicing service. 3. It commands the Divine blessing. III. APPLICATION. 1. Each one of the brotherhood is charged with the preservation of this unity. 2. Failure to keep it deprives our Lord of one of the evidences of the truthfulness of His mission. 3. The unity we most deeply need is thorough personal unity with the one Lord and Brother, that thus we may really enter into the power and blessing of this great grace of unity with each other. (W. Hoyt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! WEB: See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!