do you ever dance before the Lord?

Have you ever been in that awkward situation...
when a couple begins to fight,
and you're just standing nearby,
even a guest in their home?

You want nothing more than to disappear.
For even though they openly argue,
the overhearing seems almost intrusive.

Did you get that feeling as you read today...
listening to Michal and David at the end of 2 Samuel 6?
I tried not to take sides,
but I sensed that Michal acted more like Saul's daughter,
and less like David's wife.

For did she seemed to not consider...
David had lamented the death of Uzzah
when he first tried to bring the ark of God
to Jerusalem.

He was angry, initially at God,
and then at himself.
For he realized his failure to inquire fully of God.
But rather sought the advice and approval
of the elders.

But not so this time...
After hearing of the blessings on Obed-Edom,
David was certain to bring the ark of God
into the City of David properly.
He even made for it, a Tent of Meeting,
and followed all the laws and regulations that Moses had given.

For he longed to live in a city of blessing
with the very presence of God in his midst.

And oh what a celebration there was,
as David created the first ever worship band.
He wanted to usher in the Lord properly.
So he had the Levites lead the procession
with trumpets and cymbals,
stringed instruments and singing voices.

And David became so enveloped in praise,
that the musician himself, was moved by the music...
Then David danced before the Lord with all his might.
2 Samuel 6:14

And all of Israel was there...
except Michal, as she watched from a window.

I wonder why she did not attend this celebration?
Why she watched from a distance, unengaged?
For she missed this Psalm of praise he wrote.
And she did not partake in the offerings he brought.

Her heart seemed to be growing heavier,
as David's lifted his to God.

And upon his return, David nears their home...
when Michal comes out to meet him.
His soul overflowing with joy,
as He has planned to bring the blessings home...
to share them with her.

But she has caught him off guard...
and now is when I feel as though I'm standing a bit too close
as she begins...
“How glorious was the king of Israel today,
uncovering himself today
in the eyes of the maids of his servants,
as one of the base fellows
shamelessly uncovers himself!”
2 Samuel 6:20

Can you hear the sarcasm dripping from her lips?
This woman who does not seem to know her husband's heart...
who did not attend,
who did not understand,
who did not experience the presence of the Lord.

She is this voice of condemnation,
​of judgment,
of mocking,
of jeering,
of jealousy...
as she cannot fathom his faith
more important than his fame.

Hadn't David realized what a fool he made himself...
for she would never dance in the street
to this God she barely knew.

But David did not waiver at as these pointed words...
sharpened like spears aimed directly at his heart.
He stood his ground, remained faithful to his God...
promising to do it again.

“It was before the Lord,
who chose me instead of your father and all his house,
to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel.
Therefore I will play music before the Lord. 
And I will be even more undignified than this,
and will be humble in my own sight.
But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken,
by them I will be held in honor.”
2 Samuel 6:21-22

And as I stand here...
to close for comfort,
I can almost see them
walking silently away from each other.

For David will have more wives, more children...
but not through her.

She has insulted his God and his faith.
She has chosen to insult him...
not to love him.
Not fully,
not really,
not unconditionally.

But worse yet, she has not been persuaded
to understand the value of true worship.
Whether she fears it,
doesn't understand it,
or simply has not attempted it...
Michal is missing out on a deeper relationship with God
as she holds herself at a distance.

Maybe it's out of fear...
the unknown,
the undecided,
the unattempted.

And sadly, as these two part ways,
I recall I a few Michal's of my own.
Who, rather than join in the worship,
stand still, almost fearful to engage.
For it may be new,
different,
even peculiar to them.

Could it be that they are wanting to engage,
but lack the courage to just let go.
Maybe just the fear of the unknown
causes them to justify,
causes them to criticize,
causes them to stand afar.

For I doubt they know how hurtful their judgement can be...
​to the Spirit who thrives within the dance.

I simply believe that worship
is the outward expression of our inward heart unto God.
Some of us do so sitting still,
some bow down,
some raise hands,
some shout and sing,
​and yes... some are even prone to dance.

​But who are we
to judge,
to mock,
to jeer, or even
to be jealous of another's expression of their faith.

For we cannot see inside of them,
do not know their heart,
their hurts,
their history.
And this their expression of adoration for Him
could be just the joyful dance before the Lord
that brings healing to their soul.

Just because we do not understand
how others worship,
does not mean that it is wrong.

Let us rather be accepting
of all these forms of praise...
some sitting still,
some bowed down,
some raising hands,
some shouting and singing,
​and yes... those even prone to dance.

For the Lord alone judges the heart.

Word of God,
train me, today...
to be honest in my expression of worship and praise to You,
to be careful not to judge others who do so differently.

Lord,
I thank You, always
for the beauty of our worship.

Help me to be an encourager,
never intimidating,
always open and accepting.
Let me welcome others
into the place of Your presence.

For it lifts our souls toward heaven
knowing that we are part of the chorus above.
Holy, Holy, Holy
is the Lord God almighty.
Who was,
and is,
and is to come.

I saw... in a vision...
the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted,
with the train of His royal robe filling
the most holy part of the temple. 
Above Him seraphim... the heavenly beings stood;
each one had six wings:
with two wings he covered his face,
with two wings he covered his feet,
and with two wings he flew. 
And one called out to another, saying,
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is filled with His glory.”
Isaiah 6:1-3