Thursday, February 25, 2016
As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. . . . David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, ‘How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself!’ David said to Michal, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me in place of your father and all his household, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord, that I have danced before the Lord.   II Samuel 6:16, 20-21

Saul’s daughter, Michal, was just mortified.  How could the King of all the people hop around in the street like that wearing, basically, only his undergarments.  Could not the king be a bit more dignified?  David’s wife, Michal, was simply not pleased with her husband.  But King David was beside himself with joy.  It’s a long story (I Samuel 4), but the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, Israel’s holiest object.  In the Ark, God’s people stored a jar of manna from the Exodus, the tablets of the ten words (Commandments), and a branch that had mysteriously budded while being held in Aaron’s hand.  And when the Israelites finally regained the Ark, David could not help himself.  He danced for pure joy.  But Michal could not see it.

There will be times, my brothers and sisters, when God does something for you so marvelously, so miraculously, that you cannot help but dance.  And it is almost a guarantee, your joy will upset someone else because their joy is neither full nor complete.  But do not let others steal your celebration.  Honor them by not rejoicing directly in their face (that would have helped David, but our brother was never known for taking others’ feelings into consideration), but let the celebration that God has given you well up and flow out in gratitude and grace.  May the celebration you feel lift your spirit and draw you closer to the God who loves you and celebrates with you.