This coming Sunday I will be sharing about King David rejoicing before the LORD (2 Sam. 6:1-5,12b-19). I could have chosen any number of the Psalms, Nehemiah, Isaiah, or believe it or not, Job. Yes, even in the midst of his suffering, Job proclaimed that God will “fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” (8:21).
Of course, I could have easily turned to the New Testament which has enough tragedy to be the saddest book in the world, but instead, is the place where the Bible transitions into a higher, fuller note of joy. I find it interesting that the NT is a place that, no matter where you open it, whether the circumstances are tragic or blessed, you can always hear the note of joy as the closer to the song of life. For example, look at the terrible stoning of Stephen in Acts. He still has the joy (despite being the first Christian martyr) of seeing Jesus at the right hand of God in His glory before he (Stephen) leaves this world to go and to be with Christ forever.
I believe that I chose David because in so many ways, he is a symbolic forerunner of the Messiah. In the passage this Sunday, we will see David having a dancing, joyous time that leaves his wife Michal very upset. Umm, seems I recall that Jesus’ having a good time angered (at least twice) the Pharisees. Also David’s actions, done in love of God, which Michal saw as inappropriate, reflected a man whose greatest desire was to joyfully please God. Again, this is tied to Jesus’ desire to please His Heavenly Father, and joyfully share God’s love for us.
Perhaps the greatest happiness can be found not in focusing on what others think (like Michal), outer circumstances, nor dependent upon material possessions, but in a sense of mission and partnership with God our Father. David, with God’s help, sought to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jesus, with His Father’s help, sought to bring about the New Covenant that would bring all of the children of God back to God. I can’t help but think that both must have had an inner and outer joy that made everyone want to help them accomplish their mission. Maybe, just maybe, they shared a joy so contagious that it made people feel like dancing.
