What Makes You Dance?

And David danced before the Lord with all his might, and David was girded with a linen ephod.

II Samuel 6:14

What makes you dance?  Do you snap your fingers when your favorite song comes on?  Do you automatically move when the beat drops?  Can you dance when no music plays?  Are you a swayer or a toe-tapper?  Do you dance until you sweat, or do you barely move?  Sunday’s sermon finds King David dancing with all his might.  Let’s talk about the events that made him dance.

The ark of the covenant is not in it’s rightful place.  The ark of the covenant represents the very presence of God, and it is not where it’s supposed to be.  Ummmm, did I mention that the ark is not in the proper location? David begins the process of transporting the ark back to Jerusalem.  God had provided very specific instructions about the way that the ark should be transported.  Traditionally, the ark was carried on poles that were placed through rings on the ark.  Levites were responsible for transporting the ark.  No one else.  There was a procedure in place that honored God’s holiness.  But David, much like us, had a different plan.

The ark was placed on a new cart, and the journey to Jerusalem began.  Sounds like a great plan.  Until the ark shifts because of the oxen that are pulling this new cart.  Uzza reached out to steady the ark and…he dies.  Not because of an accidental fall. He died because he touched the ark.  Even though, he was trying to do a helpful thing.  Uzza’s error cost him his life.

Uzza’s death hits David in a major way.  His journey to return the ark to its rightful place is paused.  He places the ark in the home of Obed-edom.  David returns to what is familiar to him.  For three months, the ark remains in the home of Obed-edom.  And for three months Obed-edom, and his family, were blessed because the ark of the covenant, the very presence of God, was reigning in their household.

The news of Obed-edom’s blessings reach David.  David decides to complete the journey.  He wants to return the ark to Jerusalem.  However, this time, he does not employ a new cart.  He transports the ark the way that God originally instructed him to transport the ark.  Then, David begins to dance with all his might.

Why did he dance?  I can think of several reasons.  David knew that God was holy.  He was reminded of God’s holiness when Uzza touched the ark and died.  That very well could have been David.  But it wasn’t.  So, he danced.  God blessed Obed-edom’s house the entire time that the ark was in his home.  That let David know that not only was God still holy, but God was still in the blessing business.  So, he danced.  He danced because God was worthy of all worship and honor.  He danced because God was worthy of all praise.

What makes you dance?  Is it the melody in a song?  Do you dance because others are watching?  Do you not dance because others are watching? When I think of how well God takes care of me, my feet get light.  I dance a new dance.  My prayer is that your relationship with Christ continues to give you reasons to dance.  #wepreach

Questions to think about while you perfect your holy two-step:

• Do you realize when God’s presence is no longer around you?
  • If yes, what you do to restore His presence?
• Is God holy or a hobby in your life?
• What truly makes you dance?