“I will tell of your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O most High” - Psalm 9:2 (NIV).
The Christian life is amazing because of the liberty it offers for those who know Christ. Unfortunately, every now and then, there is that deliberate puritan streak on the part of some to rob of others the liberty they want to express in Christ. Just as we find a Hannah crying out to the Lord for a child (1 Samuel 1:10); there is also a King David, who takes to the streets, dances with elliptic moves, bursting with excitement once a prayer has been answered (2 Samuel 6:14-22).
There was a recent case of a church priest who was captured on video his body gyrating with dance strokes soon after his mother was released from hospital, a survival of Covid -19. Many related to this dancer with his bold strokes. But there were others, for whom, it was, no way! They also took issue with the blaring music of guitar sound!
When King David took to the floor with his moves, someone seethed. It is written, “Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart” (vv 16). Raised as a princess and now a Queen, Michal had strong ideas about decorum and propriety. She was so taken up by her status in society that even if the moment expected no less she just could not let herself loose.
In life we find several of us who are so bound by the status of our present station that even for things of the Lord we are held back. We shall not raise our hands in praise for the Lord since that could make us appear less dignified. We shall not declare our faith in Jesus Christ because within certain eyes it may make us look less sophisticated. We shall not venture some places even for a mission of Christ because how else can we be spotted in such undignified places.
When David got back to his house Queen Micah was ready for him. “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (vv 20). But her husband had a fast one. “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. (vv 21).
Perhaps you have had a recent moment that has left you besides yourself. Just like that priest who sent tongues wagging, do not hesitate, but just get on, and dance to the Lord!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise full of thanksgiving, for you have been so good to me, that is why I must dance with joy, full of praise!
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
