Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Monday May 13, 2024

 

Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria 

Grace for Living Devotional 

Monday May 13, 2024

TOPIC: THE POWER OF UNITY

BIBLE READING:

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.  

KEY VERSE:

Can two walk together, except they be agreed. Amos 3:3  

MEDITATION:

Whenever there is a state or condition that manifests in singleness of purpose or agreement within a group of persons, unity is the outcome. Therefore, the power of unity among believers or a family is reflected in the strength of the combination or arrangement of parts of the union thus formed, and is strong when everyone stays within the purview of their calling in righteousness and in truth, else, there is bound to be the emergence of a phenomenon management experts call  ‘Abilene Paradox,’ which occurs because individuals in the group do not want to ‘rock the boat’ even though their perceptions of the other members’ feelings are incorrect – the group agrees with a course of action that none of the group members actually desires.   

Amos 3:6 asks these rhetoric questions: "shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid Shall there be evil in a city, and the lord hath not done it" Though the answers were known, nobody really desires them. This was the dilemma in Israel,  

The ‘Abilene Paradox’ is a good test for the power of unity, because collective action taken is contrary to the preferences of most of the individuals in the group. Jerry Harvey, a management expert calls it "the inability to manage agreement." A pastor and school mate of mine, Chris Odunfodunrin calls it "the genesis of paralysis of unity!" In the context of marriage, the power of unity implies interdependence which produces harmony in the home (Ecclesiastes 4:9).    

Why has unity become so scarce in homes, churches and nations?     

PRAYER:

Oh Lord, bapstise our families, churches and nation with the spirit of truth and unity.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

2 Kings 9-11; John 5:1-24