Freedom to Worship

It’s so easy to critique praise & worship based on the way we feel, but in reality, worship is all about what pleases God. He must be consulted on how to worship through reading His word and prayer. When we understand what pleases God, it removes man’s desire to produce or create some amazing experience. Instead, it puts our focus on our Savior and honoring Him. God is concerned with our heart. What is our intention, our motivation? Is it to be seen and recognized by man? Is it to create some great experience that makes everyone feel good?

In 2 Samuel 6, David has two attempts in bringing in the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. His first attempt is quite elaborate, very joyful and most definitely well intentioned. However, we see this fail because David failed to inquire of the Lord through His Word. I believe David was sincerely excited about the presence of God coming to Israel and he wanted all of Israel to be excited. He felt the need to create an atmosphere of excitement. But the humbling reality is God’s presence creates excitement. Having a grand production was not the problem, but It’s our responsibility to consult with the Lord in doing it His way.

In David’s second attempt we see God is pleased because David consulted His Word and His presence was ushered in God’s way. This created an atmosphere of sincere worship and praise. No doubt there was excitement, great joy and plenty of emotions. When our hearts are pure before the Lord and we seek His way, our Savior will be pleased, and His presence will create an atmosphere of worship. 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

“And David was dancing before the Lord with all his strength, and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with joyful shouting and the sound of the trumpet.”

2 Samuel 6:14,15

Pastor Emily Christenson