_______________________________________

In the words of his wife, David “distinguished” himself before the lowest people in their society. She was being sarcastic, ridiculing him for not caring about appearances and denigrating their social status. However foolish his nakedness may have been, his humility before God and abandonment of self-assertion in front of others while praising God was truly honorable.

When we gather in services to corporately worship our God, are we free before God in our worship? Are we consumed with how we sound while we sing or what others might think of us? Are we engrossed in the beauty of this family, this congregation of unified mortals declaring the realities and hope of the eternal? Is JESUS ON YOUR MIND or just your lips?

David abandoned all that hindered him from praising God. There is joy in having freedom from the constraints of social approval. Indeed, such tactics and considerations are not becoming of the church, yet we often feel them even more at church while we worship. There are reasons for this, and the enemy, Satan, plays his part in it. It is not inevitable, but unsuitable for us to worship with the thoughts of others while gathering to worship God.

Practice worshiping while no one is looking – in the car, while getting ready in the morning, or with headphones on in the quietness of your heart as you go to bed. Sometimes you may dance a bit; other times, you may sit quietly while the music plays. From this well of personal worship, you will bring yourself to corporate worship more freely and encounter Him and His people while doing so.

______________________________________