Dancing With Great Abandon

In sunday school the other day we were learning about the Israelites and how they mistreated the Ark of the Covenant. After Uzzah was killed for trying to keep it from sliding off of the ox cart, David became very angry and just left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom. God greatly blessed the house of Obed-Edom for 20 years, and when David got news of this blessing he went to bring the Ark back to the City of David, but this time, David wanted to do it right. So they began the meticulous process of getting the Ark into the city. They took their time, and had frequent sacrifices the whole way home.

David, ceremonially dressed in priest's linen, danced with great abandon before God

Michal, Saul's daughter saw this, and the Bible says that her heart filled with scorn. This is where sometimes we as sinners come in. We see others dancing and singing praise, and sometimes we get angry. Why should they be happy when I'm not? Why are they celebrating when everything around us is bad?

Well, David returned home and met his wife and daughter and Michal decided she would confront David...

"How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today—exposing himself to the eyes of the servants' maids like some burlesque street dancer!" David replied to Michal, "In God's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool...but among these maids you're so worried about, I'll be honored no end."

David realized that he had been called to do something, and he was going to do it with all his might. My favorite part is, "Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory - more recklessly even than this." And that's how our atitude should be when we're the ones dancing. No matter who mocks us or gets us down! Our atitude should always be, "I'll dance to God's glory."

As for those of us who have been like Michal, the passage ends with...

Michal, Saul's daughter, was barren the rest of her life.

II Samuel 6:3-23 - The Message