Acting inappropriately

Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…2Samuel 6:14

Making a good impression is really important, we all have been told. We try our best to act and dress appropriately given the circumstances. Whether it’s wearing a nice suit for a wedding or wearing that power tie for the interview. The hair, the accessories and for the ladies the makeup, has to be just right. We do this even if it makes some of us t-shirt and jean guys, uncomfortable. We do all this to be appropriate. However, King David taught us something different, when to be inappropriate.

David had become King in Israel and had made Jerusalem his strong hold and capital. It was there that the temple of God would be built. David desired to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem and knew it would be a great blessing. The ark had been kept in obscurity in the house of a Levite, named Abinadab. The ark was not brought in a simple way, for the ark represented the presence of God, the provision of God and the liberation of God. Its importance was indescribable. It was brought to Jerusalem with music, dancing and singing. The bible says it was brought up with “all the house of Israel” (2Samuel 6:15). It’s as if the entire nation had come out to party.

David as king should have been leading the way. You could almost imagine the leaders of today dressed up in the finest clothes. They would have been placed in the finest cars and they would in a very dignified way, simply wave and smile. Perhaps the women in power would throw a kiss or two, but that would be all. The whole thing would have been proper and dignified. But David loved God. He really loved God! It’s the kind of Love that makes you run into the arms of someone, twirl around and kiss. You get the idea. David could not contain himself. When we worship God it can be exactly like that. When you truly love God it can be difficult to contain yourself. There can be crying and shouting and even dancing. David experienced this, thousands of years ago and nothing has changed. When you love the Lord you just have to let it show.

The bible relates that David was somewhat underdressed and began to dance. Perhaps he took off some of his kingly garments that inhibited him and then he got started. When his wife complained, David explained “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight….” (2Samuel 6:21-22).

David was not concerned if some thought him “undignified.” He was not concerned with making an impression as a king. He wanted to worship his God with all his might. He did all he could to express the gratitude and love he felt so strongly for his God. May we all remember to worship our God with the same sincerity and might. Even if others think it is a bit too much and inappropriate.

Try these Verses on worship

First they criticize, then they crucify

But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Luke 11:15

This is dedicated to all the doers, past, present and future, the greatest one being Jesus Christ.

Who was likely the most criticized man on the planet? I can’t be sure. But Jesus sure got a lot of Criticism. It was His critics that wanted Him crucified. They said he was sinner because he healed people on the Sabbath. They said He was a blasphemer because he forgave people of their sins. Whenever he would cast out demons they said He did it with the help of the chief demon. They were even critical of his companions, the publicans; these were the hated tax collectors. Ah, nothing has changed. Sinners were always seeking Jesus out. They were in need. They accused Him of starting a rebellion, but His kingdom was not of this world. They finally decided they had enough and they demanded He be crucified.

If they criticized Jesus who did an immeasurable amount of Good in His short ministry, then what will they do with us? We cannot be surprised when we are criticized for anything good we do. Any attempts to help others or make lives better will be met with criticism. Such as “We were too late,” or “We rushed it”. Perhaps they’ll say “That was too long” or “that was too short” or “those words were too eloquent, no one understood” or “Those words were too simple, what do you think of us.” No way to please everybody. The sure fire way to not receive criticism is not to do anything. Well that may not be true. Then we’ll be accused of being Lazy.

We just need to go out and do what we have to do for the Lord. If some people don’t like what you did, no problem, tell them “Please show me how to do it better”. Most likely they won’t. Because their role in life is not to do something, just to criticize others who do something. More importantly remember we do not perform for the critics. We do it for God and the kingdom of Heaven.