There Is A Reason For My Dance

Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.  ...Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart...
When David returned home to bless his household, Michal ... came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going about half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
David said to Michal, “...  I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.  
2 Samuel 6:12-23.
Bringing the ark to Jerusalem was a big deal for King David and Israel. The ark signified that the God of all the earth was present amidst His people. David had now found the right way to transport it and he offered a countless number of bulls and calves as sacrifice as the ark was being transported. In fact, Scripture says, “When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.” (2 Samuel 6:13)  That was definitely a lot of sacrifice from a grateful heart!

Not only did David offer that incredible amount of sacrifice but he also stripped off his kingly robes and vigorously danced in what might as well be described as a ”one piece undergarment.” Out of deep gratitude, KIng David set aside his dignity and danced with all His might to the God who lifted him from being a humble shepherd to be ruler over His people.

David’s wife was displeased with him for dancing in an “undignified manner” and she despised David in her heart. She confronted and ridiculed David. But David did not mince any words. His words were poignant,”I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.”  David’s desire to please God was far greater than his personal dignity and ego as king! For uttering those words of disrespect to David, Michal, his wife, remained barren for the rest of her life.

We can only dance like David if we are as grateful as David. Maybe your reason for dancing is: God forgave a terrible sin; or God showed you undeserved mercy; or God healed you; or God saved you from a huge mess; or God gave you a big financial breakthrough or a job. You know what others might never know.  So do you have a reason to dance before the LORD in an “undignified manner?” If you do, then never shy away from glorifying God with every ounce of your being. People might castigate you. But may your response be, “If you knew my story, you would join me in my dance!”  There is a reason for my dance.

Prayer: Father, I have many reasons to dance before you. I dance for my salvation; I dance for divine protection; I dance for divine provision; I dance for grace and mercy; I dance for my healing; I dance for forgiveness; I dance for you giving me a second chance. I dance for you, for Jesus, and for the Holy Spirit. Amen.