Jo Bower's Blog

This picture of David dancing in the streets in a victorious celebration

Over the return of a precious symbol for his people.

The nation was excited and celebrating with their king.

And all Michal saw was a man who was not acting ‘kingly.’

 

And the scripture (NLT) records she felt contempt for him

As she watched him dance with his people.

 

And then she taunted him:

How Distinguished the king ofIsraellooked today, shamelessly

Exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”

 

And my heart sang to understand even people close to King David didn’t understand

What was in his heart, his motivation, his dancing with abandonment.

He gave everything of himself

And all he got was criticism.

 

Often when we do our best to cover all the bases,

To address all the possible problems,

Give all we are and all we have to a project,

Someone sees it only from their point of view and says “No, that can’t be.”

 

And they let us know about it.

It’s like someone just walks up and hits you in the head.

Your breath is gone. The only thought you can form is

“I had no idea anyone thought that.”

 

I know when anyone something public,

People feel free to criticize and feel contempt for your work.

And it is their right to let you know it.

God, help me learn David’s lesson.

 

^{Vs. 21} David retorted to Michal,

I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. ²² Yes and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished.

 

On the surface his reply seems to reflect arrogance.

But in the end he is expressing confidence his God’s calling in his life.

He doesn’t ignore his wife’s accusation, but also doesn’t let it beat him.

Oh that I can come to that place.

 

God, help me accept authority even when I’m not sure they understand.

Help me know you work in odd ways sometimes.

But help me neither ignore criticism nor let it defeat me.

Help me understand what you are saying to me through others.

 

But help me turn to you to help me deal with it.

Go a different direction, perhaps,

Find new paths, try something new, make new friends and

Find new ways to express the talents you have given me.

 

But don’t let give up and get stuck in a hurting place.

Give me courage to get up and start again.

Renew your call on my life.

Reassure me you have a place for me, something for me to do.

 

And help me rest in your presence as I discover a new place.