Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100: 1 – 3
Today is a day set aside for worship. Some prefer their time to be quiet and reverent. Others prefer to be in fellowship with others with beautiful instruments and joyful songs. But however we worship, may we do it with all our hearts – with enthusiasm and gratitude for God’s goodness to us.
I love the story of David dancing through the streets of Jerusalem in worship to His Almighty God. In 2 Samuel 6: 14, we read, “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.”
The anointed King of Israel was overjoyed that the ark of God’s presence was being returned to His people and he wanted to honor and worship Him for all His goodness with total abandon. He danced before the Lord and His people “with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.” – not as their King, but as a man grateful for the blessings he had been given.
He became so totally lost in worship and so oblivious to those around him that he embarrassed his wife, Michal. When she told him later how she felt about Him taking off his royal robe and dancing through the streets among his servants, he reminded her that “It was before the Lord.” In other words, he was dancing for Him, not for her, or for anyone else. ” His heart was focused on praising Him and nothing more.
David loved God and he recognized that He is our Creator, He sustains us, and He gives us His loving care, comfort, peace, and grace. “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture,” and He will never forsake or leave us. May we too remember His many blessings and worship Him “with all our might” with gladness, with joy, and with gratitude.
Prayer
Our most gracious God, we so often just go through the motions of worship and don’t give you the honor and praise that you so deserve for the blessings of life. May we come before your presence with hearts filled with joy and gratitude, and honor your most holy name. Amen
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