Subtitled: “Do the David Dance!”
Sometimes we get in such a rush we don’t take time to celebrate. At other times, we may give the impression that celebrating is not a task performed by “holy” people.
Our church just celebrated 33 years with our pastor’s family. Celebration looks different through the lens of the Bible than through the lens of a secular society.
David gives us a right perspective in 2 Samuel 6. If you’re not familiar with the story of David bringing the ark back from the house of Obed-edom, take a moment and read the passage.
King David has learned after the death of Uzzah that there is a right way to move the ark. So, he invites the priests to carry the ark for the 10 mile journey back to Jerusalem.
Along the way, there is a sense of solemnity, sacredness, and sacrifices. The Sabbath rest is hinted at with David going six paces and offering up the animals. Yet, it is just as much a celebration as well.
David is celebrating God’s presence being manifested in Jerusalem. He is conscious of the the power of God that is connected to His ark.
Here is what I notice about David’s celebration in the text:
David celebrated with passion
There is no half-hearted celebration described in this text! David is putting “all his might” into this event.
David danced. David danced before the Lord. David danced before the Lord with all his might. These three views are important.
David is not involved in the “Chicken Dance.” He isn’t having a flash-forward to the 1990s and introducing break-dancing to the Israelites. This is no waltz. Rather, the word describes a leaping, whirling, and skipping along joyfully in celebration.
He does this before the Lord. He is not attempting to draw attention to himself. It’s not about Him. It’s about God’s goodness.
David celebrated with the people
Michal, the daughter of Saul, didn’t appreciate this fact. But David didn’t sit in an ivory tower. He celebrated with God’s people. He was among them, and he was providing for them.
David knew this was a momentous occasion for all of Jerusalem. It wasn’t about him!
As I work through this passage, here are my take-aways as we bridge the 3,000-year gap from the text to today:
- Celebrating should be a holy occasion for God’s people.
- Celebrating should be an opportunity to Glorify God, and not our self.
- Celebrating will uncover some opponents (Michal), but celebrate God’s goodness anyway.
- Celebration isn’t really optional for the committed believer. Here’s why:
- It is an expression of thankfulness
- It is an expression of devotion
- It is an expression of remembrance
- It is an expression of humility
Go ahead and celebrate God’s goodness today!