King David’s motives and aspirations could sometimes turn quickly to pride because of his position as king. David, the gifted poet and musician, was highly sensitive with deep emotions that spilled out freely in an artistic way. As a humble shepherd boy, his songs heard only by sheep and nature around him, were pure worship to God. Only God heard his heart while watching over him.
When he became king, his excitement over the things of God would cause him to move ahead of God’s timing and direction. With this wanting to do well for God’s people sometimes gets in the way of pleasing God. This motive leads to self-praise if he is not careful. We cannot lead worship to please people. We were created to worship and should not hold back when motivated to give our all to God who call us to worship Him alone.
We read a few chapters back, the failure of David and his men of bringing the Ark of God to Jerusalem without following the specific commands of God of how to do this and by whom. The loss of man’s life occurred by not following God’s lead.
In this passage, we read that David “gets it right this time.” David learned from his previous mistake. David had a plan that fit the directions God gave Moses. He also prepared a sacred place for the Ark designed by God and given to Moses. He also learned that ONLY the tribe of Levi could carry the ark of the Lord. They had been trained since birth to do it right in the eyes of God!
When it came time to move the Ark from it’s temporary, protected place; David and his men carefully followed God’s detailed, sacred, and holy instructions. David’s heart is now in the right place for worship. His praise-filled reception of God’s ark demonstrates genuine spiritual worship. God showed that he was greatly pleased with such worship and honor.
A great band, wonderfully talented musicians, along with a charismatic leader are merely instruments dedicated to God and used by God for honest, real, from the heart-to-the-heart-of-God worship of God—not worship of the instruments used to call all people to praise God. Let’s get it right, church! Do heart checks at the door to worship!
1 Chronicles 15
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.”
3 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. 4 He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:
5 From the descendants of Kohath, Uriel the leader and 120 relatives; 6 from the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives; 7 from the descendants of Gershon, Joel the leader and 130 relatives; 8 from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives; 9 from the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader and 80 relatives; 10 from the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.
11 Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.
16 David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps, and cymbals.
17 So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
19 The musicians Heman, Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth, 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith. 22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
23 Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.
25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.
29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
David’s praise-filled reception of God’s ark demonstrates genuine spiritual worship. God showed that he was greatly pleased with such worship and honor. As we gather for worship and learning; does our praise to God please Him? It all depends on the readiness of our hearts for worship.
When we come to worship; we must first prepare our hearts for His Presence. This preparation is just as important as what David did to carefully prepare a place for the Ark of God. One of David’s songs of repentance and praise comes to mind to prepare our hearts for the worship of our King Jesus, Savior and Lord, who is King of kings and LORD of lords;
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12
As we ready our outer appearance for worship let us prepare our minds for worship. Paul teaches the church;
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17
The preparation of our souls involves the emptying out all that is not God in order for His new mercies to refresh our souls in the cleansing. Be willing to allow the very depths of our dry, thirsty souls, from the emptying, to be filled with the Living water and Bread of life by His Holy Spirit that is within us. Let us then offer our souls as an offering, fully committed and completely given to God. This draws our attention from the world and even churchy business back to God. This is a daily discipline. (See Romans 12:1-2)
“Have the mind of Christ,” writes Paul to the church then and now. Jesus got alone often to talk with God and listen closely to His direction. Jesus also expressed His love for the Father and reminded his followers often of the commandment to love; “Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.” And “Love each other.” This is a part of the worship of God who is Love. This love gave us Life eternal. So, who are we to think we can live without this discipline of listening to God for direction that builds our own faith with attentive, ever maturing listening skills for God?
In our pursuit of God, when our hearts, minds, and souls seek Him first; we find He is there, waiting patiently for our response to love Him back. Worship is complete when we realize the depth of love God has for us and love like He loves us—without conditions.
“Let the peace of Christ rule our hearts”, writes Paul, (Colossians 3:15) Peace comes when forgiveness is received and freely given to others. Be willing to leave divisive thoughts of the world at the door to God’s holy place of worship.
“This is the secret—Christ in us!” (Colossians 1:27) The power of God’s Holy Spirit embedded within our new lives given to Jesus, transforms us to be all God wants us to be—true worshippers of Him!
Once the appropriate preparations had been made, David was able to enthusiastically lead the Levites in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The quality of our worship is often determined by the way we prepare for worship. If we give little thought to our upcoming participation with other believers in worship services, we shouldn’t be surprised by our lackluster experiences. Michal’s disdainful reaction to David’s exuberant worship is reported here as somehow connected to her background as the daughter of Saul. Her love for David did not seem to connect with his love for God.
FACT: When we come into worship expecting to hear from God—He will not disappoint! God is ready for us, not matter what, and delights in our worship of Him!
Lord,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 