Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Topic: “Praise, a musical style or a lifestyle?”
Text: 2 Samuel 6:14-21
14. David danced before the LORD with all his might, and he was girded with a linen ephod. 15. David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with trumpets. 16. As the ark of the LORD entered the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. 17. After the ark of the LORD was brought in, it was set in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19. And he distributed to all the people, to the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to every man a loaf of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. And all the people went their way, every man to his house. 20. And David returned to bless his house: and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet him. And she said, What honour is it this day for the king of Israel, that he has uncovered himself in the sight of his servants' maids, as a worthless man uncovers himself! 21. And David said to Michal, Before the LORD, who chose me above your father and before all his house to make me ruler over the LORD'S people, over Israel, before the LORD have I danced.
Let us remember:
This sequence of dance steps performed by King David poses a real problem to this day. Indeed, many people think that dancing is reserved for the frivolous, the thugs, the barefoot and all those who want to be seen. Many think that dancing has no place in the Church, the body of Christ. When we analyze the reasons given by the defenders of this thought, we understand that it is pride, ego, narcissism, ignorance or even the separation of social classes and sometimes even "false piety". This would mean that the lower social class must dance so that the authorities can enjoy it. However, within the body of Christ, everything must serve the praise of God, including dancing. Moreover, dancing is one of the symbols of joy and ecstasy that accompanies a happy event, even within the Church. It is a way of expressing our faith and our gratitude (praise) to God. In Africa, we sometimes cry while dancing during mourning. But David danced to express his joy because praise is his way of life. David was a praiser who knew how to convert his moments of joy, sorrow, and misfortune into praise. Praise that comes from the heart should not be judged by a third person, who does not have access to this heart. God alone must judge the relevance of praise. Let us stop saying: "in today's worship, praise was not successful". It is God who consumes our praise and not humans; it is up to Him to judge. Excellent Wednesday. Amen
Alain Louz.-
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