Shirley's Desk

Don’t Mock My Praise

2 Samuel 6: 14-22

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I grew up in a congregation where dancing before the Lord was not the exception, but the norm. There was no such thing as a dead or cold worship service. Both women and men joyfully danced before the Lord. Some ran around the entire sanctuary jumping, shouting and praising God. They proclaimed that God had been too good to them to give Him less than their best praise. David, too, gave God his best and most fervent praise.

In our text found in 2 Samuel 6, beginning at verse 10, King David left the Ark of the Covenant (represented the presence of God) at the home of Obed-Edom for three months. The king was informed how the Lord had blessed the home of Obed-Edom and all his possessions, so he set out to carry the Ark back to Jerusalem.

On the way back, David sacrificed a bull and a fatted calf. Wearing a linen Ephod, he began dancing joyfully before the Lord with all his might. It was an instantaneous, unchoreographed, heartfelt praise unto the Lord, the One who had shown him kindness and favor.

Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, looked out of the window as the king unashamedly danced to honor God in front of all the people. He had been blessed more than he ever imagined, and he was determined to show his gratitude. Michal disapproved of what she saw. She felt that the king was being undignified in front of the common people. She was embarrassed by his actions and despised him in her heart. Michal went out to meet David and foolishly accused him of behaving in an undignified manner in front of the servant girls.

David explained to Michal that if dancing to praise and magnify the Lord were undignified, then he would be even more undignified than before. Since God had shown him favor over Saul, he wasn’t going to allow the opinions of an insecure, jealous woman, who couldn’t recognize genuine, heartfelt praise to deter him. In a word he said to her, you may not appreciate my praise, but those servant girls about whom you spoke will. Michal mocked David’s praise and was judged severely. She was childless all the days of her life. That was considered a curse from God.

When you give God your best and most fervent praise, how many of you know that everyone is not going to be happy about the way you do it? You may be accused of showing off, doing too much, or insincerity. Don’t let that deter you! Tell the devil to move out of the way and give God your best!

Sisters and brothers, never mock anyone’s praise. Remember, it’s not you they are praising; it’s God!

Elder Shirley Freeman
Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministries