Keep On Dancing

Keep on Dancing

by Ian Biss 7/2/01

Intro...

Harrison’s Postulate states, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism."

* Rotarian, Aug. 1994, p. 56

Some folks are very involved in the lives of others, in fact:

Have you heard the story of a woman who was so entwined in other people’s lives that when she had a near-death experience, someone else’s life passed before her eyes.

* "A Hunger for Healing," Keith Miller, Seeds Tape Ministry, Jan. 19, 1992

God’s children are some of the most criticized, and most critical people in the world. Christians just can’t win. Quite often, you spend all week being ridiculed by those you are trying to lead to Christ, then just when you think you are going to get a break, some well meaning brother or sister in Christ spends 15 minutes admonishing you about something or another.

Everything in life has a critic, and you will more often be put down, rather than built up as you live in this world. What makes all the difference is how you handle your faultfinders and their commentaries.

Will you keep on dancing, or will you take a seat?

King David had to deal with criticism in almost every chapter of the bible that he is spoken of, yet he managed every reproach with a coolness beyond compare. No wonder God made him King.

David kept on dancing.

Let’s look at one example.

Read Text: 2 Samuel 6 (vs 16-22)

Exegesis

The time that this event has taken place is one of great joy for the nation of Israel, it’s enemies have been conquered, the anointed king is on the throne, and now the ark bearing the law of God has been brought to the place prepared for it in the City of David.

Everyone in town is celebrating it would seem, except for Michal, David’s first wife. Michal is disquieted about everything that her dear husband up to and she in no uncertain terms lets him know about it.

Let’s break this down to learn more.

I. Rejoice in the good fortunes of others (Vs 16)

Exposition

There are three important things to discover in this verse, the first is that David is leaping and dancing before the lord, he is sacrificing and reveling with the people of Israel, and just having an all around good time. David is where he should be, celebrating the victories of the Lord.

The second discovery is that Michal is burning mad about the victory that her king has received. She is so angry about the celebrating that the bitterness has gone to her heart, she is sad and she is lonely. Michal is where she should not be, hating the victories of the Lord.

The third discovery is that Michal is hurting herself, and only herself; because she is the only one that is unhappy. She has no reason to be unhappy.

Application

When you come right down to it, your life and what you do with it begins and ends with God. There is no escaping that fact. If you are not happy about where you are in life, it is because you are not celebrating the victories that God has brought into your life.

Everyone in here has shared a victory with our awesome God! Believe it because you have! Your being born is a victory you have shared with the Lord!

Have you ever heard someone say they wish they had never been born? God doesn’t feel that way, He wanted you born so that He could love you for eternity. God is so happy you were born He went and died for you so that you would not have to die, that’s how happy He is that you were born.

God accepts you when no one else does, no matter where you have been or what you have done in your life God wants you, God cares.

Illustration

Byron Deel, grew up with an alcoholic and abusive father. Byron had two brothers and three sisters, a large family, but his dad spent the family income on alcohol, and he drank and ranted and raved and hit them. When Byron was twelve, his father walked away from the family, and did absolutely nothing to support them. There were no child care payments. No alimony. No cards at birthdays. No gifts at Christmas. Nothing but hardship and abandonment.

Six years later, he showed up again, two weeks after Byron had graduated from high school. It was an awkward meeting. He stayed about half an hour. And then he left again, and this time there was no contact for sixteen years. Byron confided to a friend, "My attitude toward my dad was everything that it shouldn’t have been for a Christian. He had robbed mi of a happy childhood. He had failed me at every point. He had abused me. I hesitate to say I hated him, but perhaps hatred isn’t too strong a word. There was a bitterness there that was almost a loathing. Whenever anyone asked me about my dad, I’d shut them off pretty fast. As I grew older, I put it all out of my mind, and there was just a blank spot there. I didn’t think about it. I could go for years without once thinking about my father."