David's Celebration

David is mentioned more times in the Old Testament than any other person. More than 1,100 times. Much more than Moses, than Elijah, than Saul - than any other human. Why is that? David was far from perfect. He sinned against God and man when he had Bathsheba's husband killed so he could claim her for himself. And that's just one example.

He was a fallen, sinful person, guilty of murder, treachery, and corruption. But - and this is a big but - he was a man after God's own heart. (See both 1 Samuel 17 and Acts 13). In today's passages, we see that David returns the Ark of God to a central place in the life of Israel, and he and his followers - 30,000 of Israel's finest young men - have a parade of thanks, of joyfulness, and celebration to honor the ark. David's joy is boundless: "They were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymblals" (2 Samuel 6:5; see also Psalm 150).

And what is in the ark? Is there a graven image of God? Are there priceless relics? No. The Word of God is in the ark. God's word MUST be central to our faith. God speaks truth to us through his word. He guides us, protects us, convicts us, comforts us, through his Word. Have you celebrated God's word lately? Would your celebration look like David's and his men? Or would it be more circumspect?

I confess that a celebration like the one described in 2 Samuel 6 and in Psalm 150 seems more like how we celebrate when the Buckeyes win the National Championship. Oh, Lord, that I would celebrate your word and your power with such joy and abandon! Help us, Lord, to see the centrality of your Word in our lives, and to act with joy and gladness and thanks for your many blessings. Amen.