Ridiculous Joy

God is awesome. And I mean that in the right, full sense of the word. Sometimes our joy in Him just bubbles up and out of us. We can’t contain it. It feels so good, but can look a little… weird…

Is that okay?

Getting it Right

Last month, in our Listen When He Speaks theme of Joy, we looked at the difference following God’s way made in David and the Israelites’ experience moving the Ark of the Covenant to its rightful place in Jerusalem, the City of David.

Night. and. day.

When the people started celebrating this journey, they did it with all their hearts, knowing that they were truly honoring God. If we want to please God, we have to know what pleases Him, and we have to understand that if God commands something, there’s a reason. Anything that brings God glory is also for our good.

Anything that brings God glory is also for our good. Click To Tweet

It wasn’t just a party; it was praise. It doesn’t take much to get a group of people excited, but to get excited in God, for God… So. much. better.

Getting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem was a big deal. Getting it right, choosing to follow the rules God had established for taking care of and honoring Him with the ark was a big deal.

David was elated.

For all the right reasons.

Ridiculous Joy

Everyone joined David in his celebration and praise.

Well… almost everyone… There was his wife…

And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window
and saw King David dancing and celebrating,
and she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles 13:29, ESV

Exuberant joy in God, openly expressed, will not always be understood by others. It won’t make sense to those not experiencing it. They’re likely to think someone un-self-consciously expressing it is foolish, or at least a little weird.

But who would you rather be like? David, who made his share of mistakes but was considered a man after God’s own heart, or Michal, holding herself separate from the celebration and passing judgment?

It’s not always the right time for loud and active enthusiasm, but we shouldn’t let others dampen our celebration of the God who loves and provides for us. True worship is attractive, but, just like anything else good in life, it will never be appreciated by everyone at all times. Don’t try to manufacture worship, but don’t quench the Spirit, as Paul said in his first letter to the Thessalonians, either.

As we were cautioned by David’s and the people’s celebration of what was good but not best, it’s important to be careful to not get caught up in a feeling, but in God Himself. When it’s Him, let if flow… It will do you good, and bless others… even if it’s not appreciated by all.

Read The Joy of Getting it Right.