Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13–16; Psalm 150

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

King David 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. He does not ask us to step into our day alone; He does not want us to try to do this on our own strength.

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 Samuel 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 Chronicles 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? Have you ever let grief and discouragement sidetrack you from what God is asking you to do?

WHEN YOU 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, David stopped to make a sacrifice of praise.

And David danced before the Lord with all his might… – 1 Samuel 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 Chronicles 15:28-29

WHEN YOUR PRAISE IS FOR THE LORD’S SAKE AND NOT FOR OTHERS

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 but David responded with confidence.

“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 Samuel 6:21-22

Oh the joy of worshiping 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. The moment we worry about what others may think of our expressions of worship is the moment our praise becomes muted and our worship watered down.

“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.” – 1 Chronicles 16:8–9

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!

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!…
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1-2,6