2 Samuel 4 – 2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 8 – 2 Samuel 12

Its been long over due! Long over due for David. Long over due for God. By the time we reach 2 Samuel chapter 6, I think we could all admit that a time of celebration is long over due!

For David, his oppressors seem to be behind him. The long drawn out time of transition and bitterness from King Saul is over, and Jerusalem is captured and made into the capital city. David now has a palace. David now has a throne. David’s rule now has a sense of prominence among God’s people.

For God, the Ark comes home. What was once a the most important image and dwelling of God during their time in the Wilderness seems to be nearly forgotten. What happened to the tent and tabernacle? Did is waste away? Was it destroyed? Where did it go? And the Ark? It’s been captured, changed hands and returned to Shiloh. But it’s prominence among the people, seems to imply it wasn’t that respected at all.

That is until today . . . as the Ark makes it way to Jerusalem. As it does, the trumpets sound, the people rejoice and David dances. It’s a time of celebration that was long over due. The stress the people have been under are all set aside. For today is a day to dance!

Reminds me of a song, you probably know. Sung by Leigh Ann Womack, written by Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers: “I hope you dance”

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

As hard as life was for David he still took the time to dance. So I hope and pray that you might be able to dance as well!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 13 – 15