God In The Times Of Kingsናሙና

Worship God Alone

Imagine this scene: the Ark of the Covenant, so sacred to the Israelites, is being brought back to Jerusalem in a holy, festive procession. People are everywhere, and King David is right there among them. Music and shouts of joy fill the air. There is dancing and celebration before the Lord. Every six steps, an animal is sacrificed to atone for people’s sins. What an unforgettable scene. 

But what captures my attention is David. I cannot quite get over David. Thinly clad in a linen ephod, right there among the people, dancing to the Lord with all he has. Seemingly, he forgets his dignity and who he is because he is focused completely on God. 

David epitomizes self-forgetfulness and God intoxication. That’s what worshippers do. Worshippers are caught up in preoccupation with God. Moreover, David is so passionate. He is unrestrained, even reckless, in his worship. He dances before the Lord “with all his might.” He doesn’t hold back a bit from what he’s feeling inside. That’s what worshippers do. Worshippers are passionate in expressing worship to God.

Furthermore, David is filled with joy and exuberance. This is no grim, sour-faced duty. He celebrates the goodness and greatness of God with dancing, and no doubt with singing, laughter, and a big smile. That’s what worshippers do. Worshippers celebrate God’s goodness with exuberant joy. 

But above all else, David is performing for a one-person audience. He is dancing “before the Lord.” Not before the people. Not before God and the people. No, he is dancing to please the Lord, to express joy before the Lord. He was not attired in a king’s wardrobe. He was not dignified and proper. He may have even looked silly, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care how it looked to the people, because it wasn’t for them—it was for God. For God alone. That’s what worshippers do. Worshippers focus all their attention on a one-person audience. 

David teaches us what true worship is all about. The Father is seeking these kinds of worshippers.