Saturday, August 14, 2010

Praise the Lord!

Some say we should not show emotions (zeal) in church. Some say we are to keep our emotions for other places. We can jump for joy, dance about, shout and be emotional in many places but not in the house of God.

Today's post isn’t meant to anger anyone nor to even challenge your beliefs. It is however something to ponder on. Recently I read an article that stated that David’s dancing brought him disgrace in the eyes of his wife and others. This article of showing emotions was based on that one statement. It went further to state that David did not dance in the church. Saying this might be why some believe that is what gives them the right to do so.

No, David wasn’t dancing in a so called church building.  He was dancing before the Holy of the holies. He was dancing right before the throne of God…   He was showing loud and clear that God was his God. He was showing praise to the God that had spared the lives of the Levites as they were obedient to the handling of the ark of God.

David felt no disgrace. Dancing and music were a natural expression of his great joy and exultation of mind. David went on to tell his lovely wife, Michal, that it was neither she nor her father that had chosen Him but God… You might also note that Michal was struck barren for her judgment on David. I cannot help but wonder if Michal was not the one who felt disgrace on her life for passing judgment.

So where shall I dance before the Lord for saving my life? In my home alone so that no one can see the joy God has given me? Where shall I praise Him? In my home alone so that no one shall see the glory given Him? Where shall I bow before Him washing His feet with my tears? Yes, I will dance, praise and bow before Him in my home and my zeal shall be just as real in the sanctuary. For like David I echo these words:

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150 (NKJ)



Please take time to read other Spiritual Sunday post.  I know you will be blessed.

17 comments:

  1. Ron and I are dancing in the joy of the Lord this Spiritual Sunday. Just see my praise report! Thank you, Jesus.

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  2. Excellent post! Yes, Michal disgraced herself by her disgust at David's open praise to God. I also think that praise must be genuine, not contrived, not done out of 'peer pressure.' We often see people raise their hands in church, but do we see people fall on their faces before God?

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  3. Hi Linda, Excellent points! Because of all my traveling, I am blessed to visit many wonderful churches, based fully on the Word of God. Some, like my childhood, stand there in silence praising God. In some we raise holy hands. In others I've seen kneeling. In all, I've been blessed by the Spirit of our precious God. It's awesome the way He gives us so many wonderful ways to worship Him, depending on our own personalities and gifts - just like He has blessed us with so many gorgeous varieties and scents of roses, and other lovely flowers, not to mention lovely and decorative birds and insects like butterflies and ladybugs. God is good! And God is awesome in His creative variety. And when we need to stand, raise our hands, or dance to praise Him, we're definitely in good company! Thank you for such a sweetly encouraging post.

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  4. Amen!! I love to praise the Lord with singing & dancing. Sometimes at home....Sometimes at Church....and I've even been known to sing to Him quietly while standing at bus stops!! I know He is everywhere & I will continue to praise Him anywhere & at any time. Right On Sister!!

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  5. Great post. It is even possible to be too extravagant in worship of such an awesome God. Our God is worthy of our everything.
    Blessings,
    Virginia

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  6. Hi Linda - I've been thinking about the same thing also - how David worshipped the Lord unashamedly. My husband and I came from different denominational backgrounds, but we have learned in recent years freedom to worship God as we feel led.

    Great post!

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  7. What a wonderful post! Worshipping the Lord is soooo personal. My husband and I began in a church that was so conservative and then years later we were led to a different congregation and a far different way of worship! I know for some, it is so different but we were sooo blessed to experience such freedom in Worship. No matter how you worship the Lord, HE looks upon the heart and is blessed.

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  8. Lovely post! A good reminder that there are many ways to praise God!

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  9. Loved your post!! I think we should praise God whereever we please..I mean why should we feel out like we can't when He is our everything..our creator..our strength? He is everything to me!!

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  10. Only God knows if our outward expressions of praise are truly what's in our heart and solely meant for Him. If it's for God alone... go for it and don't let anyone stop you!

    ~Ron

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  11. Great post!!! God does things in decency and order. So, when He has us dancing before Him whether its home or in church, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He's not going to have us bring disgrace to Him or to ourselves. It will flow with God's presence and He is moving in service. Blessings to you!!

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  12. sometimes I feel love for Him so strongly and I don't know what to do with those feelings...so I run..in the woods near our home. Others dance. Good post.

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  13. I agree with you. In the example of David dancing it was his wife who was chastised for judging David. We should be careful in judging others. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  14. This is such a good post today. It leaves me thinking.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  15. Oh, yes...very good post...with the Holy Spirit inside us...we are always in the presence of the Lord...so whatever way, whenever, and wherever...praise...praise...praise!

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  16. Thought-provoking post! And great, insightful comments, too. Oh, for a HEART to praise MY King! Uninhibited and unrestrained! Fill me, Holy Spirit, and flow out of me, River of Living Water!

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  17. We are made to praise Him and what a joy it is to worship Him where ever He is! Such an encouraging post - thank you!

    Living for Him, Joan

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Glad you dropped by. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Please leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts, for iron sharpens iron.

May the Lord bless you,
Linda J