Always Dance

Today my Bible reading using Encounter With God (by Scripture Union) took me to 2 Samuel 6:1-23, one of my favorite passages of all time. But I saw something in David’s character and actions I have never seen before. When the ark was brought to Jerusalem, David “was dancing before the LORD with all his might.” Oh I love that phrase “dancing before the Lord.” Oh how I long to always dance before the Lord, no matter what trials come my way. The Lord reminded me today to keep dancing. But then, He showed me the secret to help me always dance even if I am enduring a particularly difficult trial. When David came home, his wife challenged his dance before the Lord. She thought his dance was foolish. And here is where we learn something very important for our dance. When it comes to dancing with the Lord, He must fill the whole landscape of our view. In other words, when you dance, don’t look to the right or the left, keep your eyes firmly fixed on Him. When you do, He will fill your view, He will be everything you need, He will satisfy your heart, and friend, you WILL dance! But that’s not yet the secret I learned today.

David responded to his wife Michal with his resolve, a conviction established long before he came to Jerusalem as king. He said to her, “I will celebrate before the Lord.” There’s his resolve to dance. What he was saying was that his priority was his intimate relationship with his Lord. David loved the Lord and would dance with Him regardless of what others might have on their agenda. And so, we must all resolve to dance with the Lord. Lean into His embrace and follow His lead, even if everyone around us is going in another direction. And now, here is what I saw today. I’ve always focused on the resolve. But then, in the next verse (v.22), I saw how David could dance so well. He said “I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them, I will be distinguished.” Let me just say right now, I love this verse. God shows us David’s heart and why David was a man after God’s own heart. David was saying that he saw himself as a dancer with the Lord, period. He let God be in charge of his reputation instead of himself (with the maids…I will be distinguished). When David said “I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes” he was saying that he may be king, but before the Lord he is a dancer, he belongs to the Lord, and ultimately, the Lord is KING, and he would worship the King, the Lord of hosts! This is such a secret for those who would have hearts that dance with the Lord. Don’t get caught up in externals i.e. what do people think of me?, what will this do for my reputation? Instead, focus on God as your audience and just dance with Him. Leave the results to Him. He is surely more than enough to handle whatever you face today. What a good reminder especially if trials or troubles are attempting to keep your heart weighed down. Today, with eyes fixed on my Lord, I’m dancing. What about you?