So David went and had the ark of God brought up from Obed-edom’s house to the city of David with rejoicing. When those carrying the ark of the Lord advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod. He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of the ram’s horn. As the ark of the Lord was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michel looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. 2 Samuel 6:12-16
My words…
Praise
You created us to dance. When pure and perfect joy wells within us, it reverberates through our arms, legs, shoulders and spine. We can’t sit still. We must move. It’s the joy coming out. Some of us look absolutely ridiculous when the joy comes out, and so we suppress it and sit on our hands. We wouldn’t want to look foolish, now would we? David had no qualms about how he looked. He didn’t consider his reputation or position. He was bringing the ark that was called by Your Name, the Name of Yahweh of Hosts who dwells between the cherubim, into his new capital city, Jerusalem. The Ark was coming home. Joy abounded! David bounded! You created him that way, and he danced for You. No more running for his life. No more sleeping in caves on the cold ground. He was king, but his joy was grounded in the truth that You are King. He was determined to celebrate, and nothing would stop him.
Prayer for me
I have never made dancing a part of my joyful celebration of worship. I hope that’s all right. I really stink at dancing, and You are worthy of a more excellent act of worship. I use writing and singing and laughing and crying. And the occasional clapping. I’m very good at clapping. But maybe I could do more. If my inhibitions are keeping me from growing, keeping me from experiencing a deeper level of joy, show me how to throw them off. I’ll work on doing it. With Your help, of course.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I refrain from expressing my joyful praise because of what others may think. It only matters what You think. The imaginary audience remains after all these years. It’s time it disappeared.
Prayer for others
I pray for the Michels in the churches. Is there a church without one? I doubt it. Just as there are those who refuse to suppress their joy, there are those who condemn them for it. Soften their hearts, Lord. Open their eyes to what true joy looks like. And I pray for the Davids. May they always be dancing!
More praise
Joyful praise of You runs deep, deeper than wedding joy or birthday joy. A heart full of gratitude for Your sacrifice, love for being first loved by You, wonder of Your boundless creation, and sheer delight in being Your child gushes unchecked by those who really believe it. And I really believe it. (I’ve broken out in foot tapping.)
