Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the 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. (2 Samuel 6:16)
Those who have no orientation toward God will never understand those who worship God with total abandonment. It is offensive to them. Some of these despisers are even found in the church. Their opinions are revealing, not about those they observe, but about the condition of their own hearts.
Obviously there is a lot in the church that passes for true worship that is not. This deserves discernment and may even warrant correction at times. But a true worshiper would rather err on over-abandonment than under-worship.
TRUE WORSHIP
Perhaps the greatest worshiper in the Bible was King David. The author of most of the Psalms, David modeled a heart that was completely abandoned to God. He had absolutely no concern for other's opinions.
In 2 Samuel 6, we have the record of David returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark designated the Lord’s presence and there was nothing David longed for more. He would write in one of His Psalms,
In Your presence is fullness of joy and in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore! (Psalm 16:11)
When the presence of God, represented by the Ark, was returned to David’s city, he could not contain Himself. As the ark entered the town, he was “dancing before the LORD with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14). His wife, Michal, saw him and “despised him in her heart.”
THE HEART OF WORSHIP
Michal criticized David for his unhindered worship and David replied with an unbending defense of his actions. In his response, David gives us a clear definition of the worship that God loves.
So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the Lord. 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.” (2 Samuel 6:21-22)
True worship ...
Is God-Centered …
“It was before the LORD” (vs. 21)
A real worshiper is not looking over his shoulder to see who’s noticing. He is solely concerned with God. He feels as if he has an audience of One.
Springing From A Humble, Grateful Heart …
“It was before the LORD, who chose me … appointed me ruler … therefore I will celebrate before the LORD” (vs. 21)
David knew where he came from and who had blessed him. If he had subtly believed it was his own doing, why should he worship God? He would be looking for people to worship him! But one who understands God’s complete sovereignty knows that everything good in life is from God. Real worship erupts from a heart overwhelmed with gratitude.
That Celebrates …
“I will celebrate before the LORD” (vs. 21)
When a believer enters into worship before the LORD, there is often brokenness and repentance as they see themselves before God’s holiness. Their sin is exposed, their heart humbled. In His presence they find full forgiveness and abounding grace, which merely increases their worship. And the more they experience in His presence, the more they celebrate.
In Unashamed Abandonment!
“I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes” (vs. 22)
One who does not fully understand God or who is concerned about their own image before others will not let themselves go in worship. There are internal, self-focused concerns pulling them back. But an authentic worshiper is overwhelmed with the greatness of God, and particularly in light of God’s blessing in spite of their weakness.
They do not care what others think. They sing loudly for there is One before whom they stand who is worthy of their unhindered praise. This is not a matter of temperament (for some express their worship in less visible ways), but of intensity. A true worshiper gets caught up in God, whether they are gentle or boisterous in their natural expressions. In genuine worship they are most fully alive; most clearly themselves.
Do you worship God? Are you willing to be humbled before others because you simply do not care what they think? Do you come before Him with total abandonment? One of the indicators will be your critics. Worldly humanists will scoff at your worship, indicating that they don’t really know your God. But those who know Him will join in the dance beside you … and God Himself will smile.
My Great God, I am humbled that You have called me to Yourself and blessed me beyond measure. I lift my hands to You and sing with a loud voice of Your greatness. Let me never worry about others. Release me into true adoration that honors You fully. And may heaven be blessed by my worship.
