DAVID SERIES: A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART - PART 15: DANCING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
2 SAMUEL 6: 1-2 Then David mobilized thirty thousand special troops and led them to Baal-judah to bring home the Ark of the Lord of heaven who is enthroned above the Guardian Angels. 3 The Ark was placed upon a new cart and taken from the hillside home of Abinadab. It was driven by Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio. 4 Ahio was walking in front 5 and was followed by David and the other leaders of Israel, who were joyously waving branches of juniper trees and playing every sort of musical instrument before the Lord - lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark. 7 Then the anger of the Lord flared out against Uzzah and he killed him for doing this, so he died there beside the Ark. 8 David was angry at what the Lord had done, and named the spot “The Place of Wrath upon Uzzah” (which it is still called to this day). 9 David was now afraid of the Lord and asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark home?” 10 So he decided against taking it into the City of David, but carried it instead to the home of Obed-edom, who had come from Gath. 11 It remained there for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. 12 When David heard this, he brought the Ark to the City of David with a great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying it had gone six paces, they stopped and waited so that he could sacrifice an ox and a fat lamb. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might and was wearing priests’ clothing. 15 So Israel brought home the Ark of the Lord with much shouting and blowing of trumpets. 16 (But as the procession came into the city, Michal, Saul’s daughter, watched from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she was filled with contempt for him.) 17 The Ark was placed inside the tent that David had prepared for it; and he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 18 Then he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of heaven 19 and gave a present to everyone - men and women alike - of a loaf of bread, some wine, and a cake of raisins. When it was all over, and everyone had gone home, 20 David returned to bless his family. But Michal came out to meet him and exclaimed in disgust, “How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert!” 21 David retorted, “I was dancing before the Lord who chose me above your father and his family and who appointed me as leader of Israel, the people of the Lord! So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be respected by the girls of whom you spoke!” 23 Therefore Michal was childless throughout her life (1 Chron 13 & 15).
Intro: David: Man After God's Own Heart (Pt 15) Dancing In The Presence Of God
Illustration: Benny Hinn Crusade & Child; Princess & Fombah Grandchild.
What Is Worship? Dictionary meaning says “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity”. Christian Worship is the reverence and adoration of God. Worship Matters To God. Often, we allow personal distractions to get in the way. Sometimes we go to church, but we don’t worship. We sing songs, but we don’t worship. We listen to sermons, but we don’t worship. We serve in a ministry area – but don’t worship. We give to God but don’t worship. All of these things are elements of worship, but they are not worship in and of themselves, which means that you can do all of them and yet have failed to truly worship God unless it is done in Spirit and in truth. John 4:21 Jesus says: “Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is a Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
1. First, Worship Is Done In An Attitude Of Spirit Done Individually & Internally. Thus it can be done all the time regardless of place or situation. Because it is done in the spirit the worshippers can only link to God when they are born-again. Worshiping in the spirit has nothing to do with our physical posture, but with our innermost being. 1 Corinthians 2:11 No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God”. The Holy Spirit within us is the one who energizes worship.
2. Second, Worshiping In Spirit Requires A Mind Centered On God And Renewed By Truth. Romans 12:1-2: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”. Only when our minds are changed from being centered on worldly things to being centered on God can we worship in spirit.
3. Third, We Can Only Worship In Spirit By Having A Pure Heart, Open And Repentant. When King David’s heart was filled with guilt over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), he found it impossible to worship. Psalm 32:3-4 He “groaned all day long” feeling God’s hand heavy upon him. Psalm 51:17 But when he confessed, fellowship with God was restored and worship and praise poured forth and he knew that “the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart”.
WHY DO WE WORSHIP GOD? MANY THINGS…
1. Worship God For Creation: Not just for what we see outside, but for the stars, planets and galaxies. David said: “The stars speak of God’s handiwork.”
2. Worship God Because He Commands It. He could’ve commanded us to do much more unpleasant things, but to worship connects us to Him.
3. Worship God Because He Is Faithful - when we’re not. He protects and provides.
4. Worship God Because He Has A Plan For Your Life. It doesn’t matter if you know what His plan is; worship Him anyway because there is a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
5. Worship God For His Word. He reveals His love, purpose, will, benefits to us in His Word. No guessing matter.
6. Worship God For His Unfailing Love (Psalm 13:5).
7. Worship God Because He Takes Us Back When We Stray (Joel 2:13).
8. Worship God Because He Never Ever Leaves Us (Joshua 1:5).
9. Worship God Because His Character Doesn’t Depend On How We Feel.
10. Worship God For Sending Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18).
EXAMPLES OF WHAT EFFECTIVE WORSHIP ACCOMPLISHED IN THE BIBLE
1. Worship Will Help Us Break Through The Prison Doors (Acts 16): Act 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. They offered up a sacrifice of praise in the midst of their pain. In the midst of their persecution. In the midst of their problems. Notice What Happened? 1) The Prison Was Shaken, 2) The Doors Were Opened 3) The Chains Were Loosed.
2. Worship Will Help Us To Go Through The Unknown (Joshua 3): Joshua 3:1 The Israelites are about to cross over into the Promised Land. They do not know the way, so God instructs the Ark to go ahead in the midst of the flood. When they sanctified themselves and waited for the Ark to enter first, what happened? Joshua 3:13 "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap." Keep your eyes on the Ark. When we worship, we keep focused on God. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
3. Worship Will Crumble Every Wall Before You: In Joshua 5-6, the Walls of Jericho came down because the people simply worshipped God around their problems.
4. Worship Will Give Us The Power To Overcome The Enemy (2 Chronicles 20:3-4): Jehoshaphat battles with the Ammonites and other nations. 3. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 21. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever." 22. Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
THE ARK TAKEN BY THE PHILISTINES
We Are All Familiar With The Ark Of The Covenant. In the OT it is what housed God’s Presence among the people. The Ark Was Made Of Acacia Wood Overlaid With Gold. It had four rings of gold through which carrying poles were inserted. These poles were never removed from the rings, apparently to show that the ark was a portable sanctuary. Hebrews 9:3-4 Mentions Three Things, The Gold Jar Of Manna, Aaron’s Staff That Had Budded, And The Stone Tablets Of The Covenant. The Ark provided benefits for the Children of Israel. When it went before them, it leveled walls and cities like Jericho. However, within those benefits God had set up a system and a method to use the Ark. Any deviation from this method removed the benefits and even brought death. Once a year the High Priests would enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark resided. When The Ark Came Into The Camp, God had come into the camp also. In Exodus, God had given some explicit instructions which pertained to the ark.
1. Only certain people were in charge of it.
2. Certain items were to cover it while in transportation
3. Only certain individuals were to go into the Holies of Holy or in the presence of it.
SPECIFIC RULES OR GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING THE THINGS OF GOD.
God Has A Method Of Doing Things. His Method Does Not Always Make Sense To Us:
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
DAVID AND THE PASSAGE AT HAND.
David Is The Newly Established King Of Israel. He says: “Let’s bring the presence of God back into our midst for we did not under Saul. Remember the Ark is where the presence of God dwelt.” Why Then In The Midst Of All Good Intentions, Right Motives, Praise And Worship:
1. Did A Man Die?
2. David Became Displeased With The God He Loved So Much?
3. David Became Fearful Of The God Who He Trusted For His Safety?
4. They Had To Leave This Ark At Another Man’s House?
ANSWER: The Ark Was Not Made To Be Hauled Around In A Cart! God Had Specific Instructions That It Was To Be Carried By Staves. If it had been moved according to God’s way of doing things it wouldn’t have fallen and Uzza would still be alive. David deviated from the instructions written in the Scriptures already.
THE MISTAKES DAVID MADE IN HIS ZEAL FOR GOD’S PRESENCE (1 CHRONICLES 13)
1. David Consulted The People And Did Not Consult God Or His Instructions Or The Priests – V. 1, 4 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds and with every leader. Worship is not about us. It is about God. We should consult the Holy Spirit and seek his guidance for a worship service. Worship leaders often select songs to make the congregation happy. But is God happy with our songs?
2. David Did What Was Right In The Eyes Of The People Rather Than In The Eyes Of God – V2, V4 - V. 2 – If It Seems Good To You……. V. 4 Then all the congregation said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. Their worship had degenerated into a performance, pleasing to men. But God was not pleased. Is our worship focused on pleasing men?
3. David Copied The Ways Of The Philistines – V. 7: So they carried the ark on a new cart. Israel was given strict instructions to carry the ark on the shoulders of the priests. However they chose to follow the methods of the Philistines and carried the ark on a new cart. This resulted in the death of Uzzah. You cannot use worldly methods and music and expect God to accept your worship. Do not look for talented musicians, look for Godly musicians. Wrong musicians bring wrong attitudes - a recipe for disaster.
4. David Allowed Uzza & Ahio To “Drive” The Presence Of God – V. 7: Uzza And Ahio “Drove” The Cart. The presence of God was always before the people. E.g. The fire by night and the cloud by day were before the people and not behind them. Often times, worship leaders are guilty of “driving the presence of God”. We fail to seek the presence of God with all our hearts but expect our good music to bring in God’s presence. The Holy Spirit is before and not behind us.
5. David Failed To Keep The Standards – V. 8: Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets. The worship ministry was to be a separate ministry. Musicians & singers were to be chosen & appointed from the Levites. It is not only the quality of music that God is interested in. He is also interested that we do it right. Church musicians must live holy.
6. David Allowed Flesh To Touch God’s Presence – V. 9: Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark. And he died there before God. God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth. God will not allow flesh in His presence.
WHAT WAS DAVID’S RESPONSE TO GOD’S RACTION TO THE DISOBEDIENCE?
1. David Was Angry With God – V. 11. He expected God to please him. Later he began to fear God – V. 12. This is when he began to please God. If only he had feared God earlier, he would have done it right the first time.
2. The Ark Remained With Obed-Edom For 3 Months And Became A Blessing To The Whole Family – V. 14. God’s presence is a blessing, but when we do things carelessly, it can become a curse.
3. What Made David To Change The Way He Did It Before? I Samuel 6:12: David saw someone else being blessed. He did his research and changed his approach (I Chronicles 15:11-15). With the help of the Levites and priests, David discovered the proper way to transport the Ark. In 1 Chronicles 15:13-15, he did not just admit his wrong, he made things right.
WHAT DO WE SEE IN DAVID’S ATTITUDE TO WORSHIP THIS TIME?
When the Ark finally reached Jerusalem, David rejoiced openly. 2 Samuel 6:14-15 / 1 Chronicles 15: David’s joy this time was relief. He jumped like never before – the soul is free before God. Obedience brings happiness. God was once more coming to dwell amongst His people.
1. David’s Worship Was Physical - Exuberant (High-Spirited) & Expressive (2 Sam. 6:14a). He not only danced before the ark… he danced with all his might. The word “dance” here is karar in Hebrew and can be translated “whirling.” It appears twice in the Bible – both in 2 Samuel 6. David was not embarrassed to worship God extravagantly – physically. The Bible says we have to get physical with our worship - love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Worship takes effort and energy. Are you using your body, your strength in worship? God’s Word says how to use our body in worship: I can worship… Sitting, I Chronicles 17:16; Standing, Psalm 33:8; Walking, Psalm 48:12; Dancing, Psalm 149:3; Leaping, 2 Samuel 6:16; Eyes up, Psalm 123:1; Eyes down, Luke 18:13; Bowing, Psalm 95:6a; Kneeling, Psalm 95:6b; Face down, Revelation 7:11; Clapping, Psalm 47:1; Lifting hands, Psalm 63:4.
2. David’s Worship Was Sacrificial (2 Samuel 6:13): And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. They stopped the Ark after it has only gone 6 steps and offered up a sacrifice. It reflected how much David loved God and was grateful for God’s mercy. Worship is sacrificial. It requires that you give your time, your talent, and your treasure. Take that literally – Every 6 minutes, 6 hours, 6 days, show up and glorify God. I will not offer to God sacrifices that cost me nothing (2 Sam 24:24).
3. David’s Attitude Was One Of Humbleness. David is wearing a linen ephod. He’s not half-naked like Michal implied. This was a priestly garment that the priests wore before God as they ministered at the tabernacle. David could have worn his regal robes - he was a king. But he took off his royal garments and replaced them with an ephod. In removing his royal garments, David was declaring that in the presence of God, he wasn’t important. He wasn’t a king. He was a servant. That’s what disturbed Michal. David had debased himself – stepped down from his regal position to embrace a lesser position in the sight of Israel. That offended her.
4. David’s Attitude Was One Of Loving Others When He Worshipped. Notice what he does for the 30,000 people who worshipped with him. 2 Samuel 6:18-19 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.”
BUT WHAT WAS MICHAL’S RESPONSE?
1. Michal Was Not Among The Worshippers. More than 30,000 people gathered to bring the ark from to Jerusalem, but she isn’t amongst them. She wasn’t a humble woman. Her attack of David reveals her pride. She wasn’t comfortable with how David worshipped. And she speaks to David like a mother to a naughty child. 2 Samuel 6:20: "When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, ’How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!’" Why does she speak like this?
2. Michal Was A Spectator And Watcher When Others Worshipped: She was preoccupied with being who she was and didn’t want to be with the ordinary people or embarrass herself by getting carried away in worship. She is a watcher and like most watchers in worship she gets angry with the worshipper. She is angry because David is undignified.
3. Michal Became A Critic Rather Than A Participant: David’s wet blanket was his wife. But that did not dent his joy – it made him more excited (2 Samuel 6:21-22).
4. Michal Was Looking Around Instead Of Looking Up. She Kept Her Eyes On Others Instead Of On God. If we are looking up, we will be bold. If we are looking around, we will be worried what others will think. Those who are dancing have no time to criticize others. Who cares what you or others think, what does God think? Where was Michal when David was in the wilderness? Where were they when you went through your ugly stuff?
5. Michal Is An Angry & Bitter Woman. The real tragedy in Michal’s life is the fact that her bitterness became so intense, it separated her from God. The true tragedy is not that Michal became a victim of men but that in her pain, Michal lost sight of God’s grace.
6. Michal Is In Bondage Though She Is The King’s Wife & In The King’s Palace. Unlike David who is free, she is bound by the past. And when you are free and expresses that, someone still in bondage will find fault with your dance.
7. Michal Errs in Thinking That Worship Is About Us When It’s All About God. She fails so dramatically to understand that worship is about letting go of all trash and being aware fully of God. I have seen many standing on the sidelines casting stones at those worshipping.
8. Michal Accuses David Of Associating With Low Lives, Because She Feels Superior To Everyone Else. Michal accuses David of gallivanting with the commoners, as if there are some people in this world that are lower life forms than others. Proud and arrogant people have nothing to celebrate but themselves.
9. Michal Became Barren For Life: As a consequence of her hatred toward David for dancing before the Lord, she was barren her whole life - greatest curse to a Jewish woman. God may have prevented her from having children for 3 reasons: First, to judge her for her attitude. Second, to stop the poisonous attitude from spreading from Saul to her to her children. Third, to make sure that the house of Saul would have no possible claim to the throne.
CONCLUSION: WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD HAS FOUR CHARACTERISTICS:
1. God Is Pleased When Our Worship Is Accurate. People Often Talk Of The Kind Of God They Serve. We Cannot Create Our Own Perception Of God – That Which Is Comfortable, Or Politically Correct. That Is Idolatry. We Must “Worship God In Truth” – On The Truth Of Scripture.
2. God Is Pleased When Our Worship Is Authentic - Mean It. When Jesus Said We Should “Worship In Spirit”, He Was Not Referring To The Holy Spirit, But To Our Spirit. Made In God’s Image, We Are A Spirit That Resides In A Body And God Designed Our Spirit To Communicate With Him. So Worship Is Our Spirit Responding To God’s Spirit.
3. God Is Pleased When Our Worship Is Thoughtful – Think On What You Say. Jesus Commanded That We Should Love God With Our Entire Mind Which Is Repeated 4 (Four) Times In The New Testament. God Is Not Pleased With Thoughtless Singing Of Hymns, Praying With Meaningless Clichés Or Careless Exclamations Of “Praise The Lord”. If Worship Is Mindless, It Is Meaningless. Jesus Called Thoughtless Worship “Vain Repetitions”.
4. God Is Pleased When Our Worship Is Practical. The Bible Encourages Us To Offer Our Bodies As A Living Sacrifice, Holy And Pleasing Unto God – This Is Your Spiritual Act Of Worship (Romans 12:1). This Means That Real Worship Must Cost Us Something (2 Samuel 24:24). When Jesus Said “Love With All Your Strength”, He Pointed Out That Worship Takes Effort And Energy.
FINAL WORD: PRAY FOR THE REGULARITY OF WORSHIP IN YOUR LIFE.
1. Realize that worship has Power – it breaks through when nothing else will.
2. Make it a practice to worship God minute by minute.
3. Never make yourself the critic of the worship of others when you are doing nothing.
4. When you worship God whether in public or practice, do not worry about what others think.
5. May the spirit of worship fall on this church and all of us.
