Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13-16
When your enemy says you can’t…
David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” – 2 Samuel 5:6
David, who was now anointed King of Israel, did exactly what his enemies said he could never do. Jerusalem became his home and is still referred to as the City of David today. When what we face seems impossible and those around us are reminding us of what we can never accomplish, we must remember that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is with us. When God asks us to do something, He will be there with us.
And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him. – 1 Chronicles 11:9; 2 Samuel 5:10
When things don’t go your way…
David made two attempts to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. The first attempt was going well at first. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments. But when the oxen stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of God, he fell down dead because the Lord’s anger was aroused. The celebration ceased and David GAVE UP on doing what God had called him to do. Things were not going his way, and he let grief and discouragement sidetrack him from the mission (2 Sam. 6:1-11).
David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” – 1 Chron. 13:12
When God does not move as we want Him to or as expect Him to, how do we react? Do we let fear keep us from trusting God with what comes next? Do we let tragedy paralyze us?
When we stop to praise God six steps in…
Three months later, David tried again to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. This time was different for David. His men took six steps with the Ark of God and David stopped the procession to sacrifice a bull and a fattened calf. Just six steps into the journey and David was stopping to make a sacrifice of praise.
And David danced before the Lord with all his might… – 1 Sam. 6:14a
So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams’ horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres…King David skipping about and laughing with joy… – 1 Chron. 15:28-29
When our praise is for the Lord’s sake and not for others around us…
David let out all the stops for this celebration! The Levites formed a choir of singers and musicians (1 Chron. 15:16) and David danced before the Lord in praise and thanksgiving. His wife Michal was ashamed of his behavior and David responded: “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes…” (2 Sam. 6:21-22).
Oh the joy of worshipping before the Lord for His eyes only! God welcomes our exuberant expressions of joy and He delights in our uninhibited worship when it is for Him only. Oh the glory we bring to God when we dance and sing as David did when the Ark of God entered into the special tent David had prepared for it.
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles…
He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
Remember his covenant forever – the commitment he made to a thousand generations…
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!…
Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling.
O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor…
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting!”
And all the people shouted, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. – 1 Chron. 16:8-15, 23-36
When our enemy says we can’t, praise the Lord!
When things don’t go our way, He is worthy of our praise!
Before we get even six steps into what He has called us to do, let’s praise Him for the outcome!
Let’s praise Him with uninhibited worship! Let’s dance as David did for an audience of One!