2 Samuel 6:1-5: a reflection

1David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah, to bring up from there God’s ark, which is called by the Name, even the name of the LORD of Armies who sits above the cherubim. 3They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4They brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark. 5David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.

David gathers a great company to bring the ark of God, the sign of the Lord's presence, up to Jerusalem. It is a moment of exuberant joy. David and all Israel celebrate before the Lord with everything they have, harps and lyres, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals, music and dancing filling the road. Their hearts are glad that the presence of God is coming home to be at the center of their national life.

There is something worth learning in this wholehearted, physical, unembarrassed worship. David does not hold back or worship with cool reserve. He and the people pour themselves into praise, using every instrument they have to express their gladness at God's presence. Joy in God is not meant to be muted. When the Lord is at the center, the natural response is celebration that engages the whole person, body and voice and heart together.

Ask yourself whether there is real joy in your worship, or whether it has become dutiful and restrained. God's presence with his people is cause for gladness, and gladness wants to express itself. You do not have to manufacture emotion, but you can let your love for God be whole-hearted rather than half-hidden. Bring your whole self to him, as David did, and let the wonder that God comes to dwell with his people stir genuine joy.

Lord, David and all Israel celebrated your presence with everything they had, holding nothing back. Stir that kind of gladness in me. Free my worship from cool reserve, and let my love for you engage my whole self, body and voice and heart. Your presence with your people is cause for joy; teach me to rejoice before you wholeheartedly. Amen.