Day 83 or March 24. Let yourself go sometimes.
Our thoughts are rooted in 2 Samuel chapter 6 verse 14.
Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.
First the big picture surrounding this verse. David is finally anointed king over all Israel,
and destined to reign for forty years, until he is seventy years old. His reign for the
next thirty-three years will be centered in Jerusalem, and even today it is called the
City of David, along with nearby Bethlehem. After a disastrous attempt to bring the Ark
of the Covenant into Jerusalem, which ended in the death of one of the men carrying it,
it is finally safely escorted, all ready to be placed in the new temple. However, God
makes it clear that David will not be building the temple. Nathan has the difficult task
of telling David what God has decided, but David responds in a beautifully positive way,
by praising the Lord.
And now our action step for today. Once David is established as king, he decides
it is time for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought back to Jerusalem. As the returning
procession approaches the city, David is overwhelmed by the whole event and gets carried away as
he worships God. It seems this could be the first instance of dad dancing in history.
2 Samuel chapter 6 verse 20 tells us that Michal, David's wife, the daughter of Saul,
came out to meet him. She said in disgust how distinguished the king of Israel looks
to-day, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls, like any vulgar person might
do. As men in those days wore long robes and little else, they weren't dressed for boisterous
dancing. David didn't think of this as he praised the Lord. Supporters at football matches
don't either, when their team scores. It's okay at football matches of course, but spontaneous
rejoicing is very acceptable to the Lord too. This is a word for all of us conservative
Brits, including me. When did we last let ourselves go as we worshipped our God?
You never know - it might be enjoyable!