Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“But as the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him” (1 Chronicles 15:29 NLT).
I love to dance. Really, I do! If there’s music on, you can bet I’ll be moving, regardless of who’s watching. It doesn’t matter if someone drives by my house and sees me grooving to the beat—I’m in my own joyful world. And that’s what I think about when I read about King David dancing before the Lord with all his might.
In our passage today, we see King David, the mighty ruler of Israel, adorned in a linen ephod, dancing with all his might before the Ark of the Covenant as it is brought into the City of David. His heart overflowing with joy and gratitude, he is completely uninhibited in his worship of the Lord.
But amidst the celebration, there is one who watches with disdain—Michal, the daughter of Saul. She cannot fathom why a king would lower himself to such undignified behavior. In her eyes, David’s actions are unbecoming of royalty.
Yet David’s response to Michal’s criticism is a powerful reminder of the heart of true worship. He explains that his dancing is not for the approval of man but for the pleasure of God. David is willing to humble himself, even at the risk of appearing foolish in the eyes of others, because his sole desire is to honor and glorify the Lord.
This passage challenges us to examine our own worship practices. Are we willing to let go of our inhibitions and worship God with all our hearts, regardless of how others might perceive us? Are we more concerned with outward appearances or with offering genuine praise to the One who deserves it?
David’s example also teaches us the importance of embracing the freedom we have in Christ. True worship is not bound by tradition or protocol; it is an expression of the overflow of our love for God. Whether we choose to sing, dance, raise our hands, or simply bow in reverence, what matters most is the sincerity of our hearts.
In 1 Chronicles 15:29, we see a similar instance where David’s unrestrained worship is contrasted with Michal’s disapproval. As the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him.
This passage further emphasizes the idea that true worship is not about conforming to societal norms or expectations, but about expressing our love for God with authenticity and sincerity. Just as David danced before the Lord with all his might, we too are called to worship God with uninhibited hearts, regardless of the opinions of others.
David’s dance was a spontaneous expression of his deep love and reverence for God. It was not choreographed or rehearsed; it was raw and authentic. Likewise, our worship should flow from the depths of our souls, unfiltered and genuine.
But let’s not overlook the significance of Michal’s reaction. Her disdain for David’s worship serves as a cautionary tale for us. How often do we allow the fear of man to hinder our worship? How many times have we held back our praise because we were worried about what others might think?
As we reflect on David’s example, let’s ask ourselves these questions: Are we willing to be vulnerable before God, laying bare our hearts in worship? Are we willing to let go of our pride and self-consciousness, surrendering fully to the One who deserves our utmost devotion?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
True worship is not about impressing others but about expressing our love for God with sincerity and authenticity.PRAYER
Lord, help us to worship You with all our hearts, unashamed and uninhibited. May our praise be pleasing to You, and may it draw us closer to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.