July 20, 2018 Friday

“12 ¶  Now it was told King David, saying, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 13  And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 14  Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 16  Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17  So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18  And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19  Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.” (2Samuel 6:12-19 NKJV)

            What would it be like if we approached worship like we see in this passage?  Do not just read this passage but take time to see yourself in the crowd watching this celebration of the Ark – the very presence of God coming into Jerusalem!  The noise, the joy, the offerings and the music and dancing would pull you in and make you part of it!

            There is so much here but I want to look at four things:

First, they went out to bring the Ark – the very presence of God into their city and lives!  They did not sit back and wait on God to come to them but went forth in expectation and joy just to be closer to God!  They sought the God who sought them and sacrificed to the God who bought them and set them free!

Second, the sacrifices people made as God’s presence moved closer to Jerusalem were astounding as every six paces sacrifices were made to honor God’s presence coming closer!  Can you imagine the cost of this sacrifice and the love and joy it took to make it?  But these sacrifices were shared with everyone and as they went home they carried not only the food but the joy of God’s presence they experienced!

Third, the joy and celebration that took place as God’s presence came closer to Jerusalem is a symbol of how we should celebrate our Lord when we come to worship.  The singing, the loud music, the dancing and the joyful noise are a model of how we should react as we gather to worship the God who came to us!  The God who even when we cast Him aside still came to us and waited for us!

Fourth, the reaction of those who cannot understand our response to God will usually be confusion or hatred.  From Jesus through today the Church has faced murder, rape, theft, slavery and exclusion! Jesus who came to offer God’s love has brought a response of so much hatred that he was vilified and crucified!  We can expect no less.

            Have you reached out and brought God into your heart, your Jerusalem? Are you willing to make your sacrifices in response to the wonder of God’s presence in your life? Are you willing to accept the rejection and persecution of those who either hate or fear the God whose glory you celebrate?