2 Samuel 6:14. And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
Well we back to the virtual Sunday business in my area because the Covid-19 count has sky-rocketed, so the churches have been advised to close or to keep their physical gathering to a minimum. My church has decided that the hassle to have physical gatherings is not worth its weight in gold, so we have closed for at least the next four weeks. Yes, though we like the physical gathering, the way that the virus is spreading makes the virtual gathering safer and wiser. The Lord knows our hearts, and He knows that we would gather in His sanctuary if we could, but then again, church is not merely the physical place of meeting, but rather the spiritual activity that takes place between believers.
And we going to begin that spiritual activity with some praise and worship, reverence and adoration to our Creator, through the traditional song,‘One More River to Cross.’And we going to do it in a soulful, down home, Southern, hand clapping, jumping and jiving blues style, with plenty passion, in sweet harmony. (smile) Oh, the spoken Intro is borrowed from the song ‘One more Mountain to climb’, because I thought it sounded quite appropriate for our song too. (smile) Then we’ll segue straight into the chorus of our song,
So let’s get with it nuh.(Intro: ‘Hey Lord, my troubles never seem to end, Tell me, are you still my friend? I got such a heavy load. When will I reach that glory road?)’ (Chorus: One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.)
I’ve had a lot of troubles and trials, in my little life span When I’m standing alone, and the battle gets hard, I always do the best I can I’ve crossed a million valleys, and shed a million tears, But when I come to the River of Jordan, Hallelujah, then I’ll have no fear, then I’ll have no fear. (Chorus: One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.)
Yes, There’s been a lot of people talking ‘bout me since I’ve walked this narrow way But that’s just another little valley, I came thru it when I prayed, I’ve climbed a lot of high mountains and crossed a lot of little streams But when I see ol’ Jordan cold and dark, that’ll be the last for me, that’ll be the last for me. (Chorus One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.)’ repeat chorus.
Oh friends, wasn’t that wonderful! Reminds you of olden days when people really enjoyed their praise and worship, not just singing the songs in a dreary, wooden manner, with li’l or no passion or riddim. But our heavenly Father likes passion and riddim, with the praise and worship truly coming from our soul. And what better example do we have than that auspicious and momentous occasion when Bruh David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem eh.
Hear how the Good Book tells it nuh. ‘So David went and brought up the ark from the house of Obed-edom into the city with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with 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 trumpet.’ (2 Sam. 6:12b-15)
Mama Mia! What a celebration that must have been! And being the musician and poet that he was, Bruh David must have certainly been in his element. So much so that the Good Book continues: ‘And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David (Jerusalem), Michal, Saul’s daughter (David’s wife) looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; (half-naked) and she despised him in her heart.’ (2 Sam.6:16)
But the story gets more interesting. After Bruh David finished celebrating with the people, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings and giving them cake and wine, the Good Book tells it thus: ‘Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain (base) fellows shamelessly (openly) uncovereth himself.’ (2 Sam. 6:20)
Believe me people, I can testify to that kind of dressing down for my dancing behaviour. But unlike Bruh David, that was just water running off my back. (smile) Bruh David though traced Michal good and proper: ‘And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile (undignified) than thus, and will be base (humble) in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.’ (2 Sam. 6:20-23)
Bubba! Bruh David didn’t make skylark at all nuh! He banished her from his presence. Now hear some explanations from the scholars. ‘6:12. The ark, which had been placed in the house of Obed-edom, a Levite of the family of Korah (cf. 1 Chr. 13:13-14), was now brought up to Jerusalem in the prescribed manner. It was done with careful forethought (1 Chr. 15:1-2) (Remember Uzza was smitten by the Lord when he put his hand on it to stop it from falling. 1 Chr. 13:9-13) The transferal of the ark was accompanied by sacrifices, pomp, and great rejoicing. David’s dancing or whirling about (vs. 14) was an expression of spiritual joy (cf. 1 Chr. 15:25-28).’
Yeh! That’s the kind of spiritual joy that is so sadly lacking in our times. And it certainly was dicey work transporting the ark, but Bruh David managed, with the Lord’s help of course. And this last explanation from the scholars: ‘6:16. Michal saw in David’s actions a conduct unbefitting a king. She doubtless neither appreciated or entered into the spirit of the occasion. Accordingly, David rebuked her and consigned her to separation from the king’s graces, a condemnation that left her childless (vs. 20-23). A negative and critical spirit born of spiritual shallowness and insensitivity is a dangerous thing!’
And so it is my brethren, so please let’s not allow our spirits to become shallow or insensitive nuh, because that can bring us such joyless lives. Much LOVE!
…if we don’t show our joy and passion before the Lord…where and when will we show it eh…
SCRIP-BITS 