A REASON TO DANCE
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here are the remains of a column rising out of the ground in ancient Laodicea, the home of the “lukewarm church,” one of the seven churches of the book of Revelation (Rev. 13:14-22).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 6:14-15
Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I ask for healing of hurts from the past. I ask for a greater measure of joy and for freedom to express that joy before You in my worship of You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been thinking of the words of Isaiah which Jesus read from the scroll when He announced His mission before His hometown congregation (Isaiah 61:1 & Luke 4:18). As I meditated on the messed-up relationship between David and Michal, I’ve been feeling sad. Now, however, I’m starting to rejoice as I read Isaiah and Luke. Jesus declared that the Spirit of the Lord has “sent Me to heal the brokenhearted” and “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Yes! Yes! I’ve seen Jesus do this again and again. Jesus is our “Ark.” He is the manifest presence of God in our lives. In fact, I’m thinking of two married couples I know well whose hearts were broken. Recently I sat in a restaurant with one of these couples and heard these words from both husband and wife: “Jesus has healed us so powerfully that we love each other more than ever before.” Only Jesus can do that. Jesus changes everything! Rejoicing fills my being as I think about Jesus.
Yours for expressing the joy of the Lord!
David
P.S. Norma-Jean showed me her facebook link to Budapest, Hungary. Here is a dance of joy from their celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. They call this a “Flash Mob.” To think that just over 20 years ago their communist government was trying their best to eradicate faith in God from all Hungarian people. I say to all killjoy atheists: Give up! You’ll never win! (click here) Celebrate Jesus!
In today’s reading, David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem. The sacred Ark contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed and a pot of manna.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Praying David’s prayer. Indeed, there is no excuse but certainly our bitterness runs deep and our hurts are what we hold onto. God gave us this example with David and Michal’s history to teach us. That layer of inner pain affects our relationships in every way. The greatness of forgiveness from Jesus frees us but our human nature chooses to hold onto the pain in our souls. Thank You Jesus for being the Light–the only thing that frees us. We hold onto You in every way and give You all the praise and glory that is due. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord. Amen.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 ESV
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Brenda Geneau Jamieson with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfT4mcE_XJg
Amen
Lord God, thank You for all Your faithful witnesses everywhere. Bless each one so all will see You. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen Rob.
I’m afraid I might have instantly reach to try to prevent this Precious Ark from falling. It seems like a natural reaction to me. I believe that a shout to the Lord would have been sufficient but on the other hand we don’t know this young man’s heart toward God. Maybe he didn’t believe that God really resided between the cherubim?
Amen
Amen Doreen. Amen.
I agree that it was a natural reaction, but the Jews had God’s Word from Moses about how to handle the Ark, and they failed to follow God’s instructions. Notice the 2nd time they moved it, they carried it rather than carted it.
I think God is very serious about His Word.
I’m with you Doreen, I may well have tried to rescue the Ark. Please Lord give us the strength to trust you to hold us all as you would the Ark. Help us to not try to be in control, but to praise You for Your control of all situations.
Blessings and prayers for all.
Amen HJR. Amen.
I agree that it seemed to be the natural and caring thing to do to reach out to protect the Ark but God will was different. Attended a funeral today and was good to be among my relatives again after all this shutdown.