Corona Devo 682

(16) But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him... 

(20) When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”

(21) David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord... He appointed me as the 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!” (23) So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.  ~2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23

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Sometimes we need a reminder of how to treat people.  

Sometimes we need a reminder of how not to treat people.  

And sometimes we need a reminder that we are not the "center of the universe", treating all other things and people as if they revolve around us.

Michal, David's wife, had gotten caught up in herself, and I do too sometimes.

Because we can read the full story in the surrounding verses, we can know that David's heart was completely focused on honoring and praising God as he danced in the streets wearing a priestly garment (which was simple and minimal).  

And even though Michal knew her husband David and his heart for the Lord, she was more concerned with how he came across to others when his guard was so completely down.  David felt no embarrassment in what he was doing because he was doing it for God and to honor God (not himself).  (I am willing to look even more foolish than this... 2 Samuel 6:22).

But Michal felt embarrassed.  She felt intimidated, ashamed, angry and ultimately, I believe she felt vulnerable because David had exposed himself, (not physically), but emotionally and spiritually before a watching world.  And as his wife, (an extension of him), that made her very uncomfortable, and so she lashed out at David. (She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”  ~2 Samuel 6:20).

I look at her and think, "What a shallow, unsupportive, spiritually-blind woman and wife Michal was."

And then I feel the invisible finger of the Lord pointing at my heart.

For the times when my husband is silly and loud with neighbor or school kids, which I see as "uncool" and awkward.  

But God sees more: He sees the disarming effect that silliness has on people of any age.  My husband's craziness takes away their need to "fit in", because by default (and on purpose), he puts himself in the awkward "seat", which inevitably (and every time) allows them to relax and be more comfortable with who they are.  And God created them each to be special and unique--not sheep that all look and act the same.

My husband "becoming undignified" and "looking even more foolish than this" allows for this to take place.

Most people (even subconsciously) seek to do the opposite with others--like Michal, we want others to feel poorly about themselves because that somehow makes us feel more stable or comfortable with ourselves.  How shallow, unsupportive, and spiritually-blind.  

When we are secure with who we are in Christ we can put others at ease with who they are.

Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!  ~2 Samuel 6:22

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For the times when, like Michal, I become offended, angry, or (if I dare admit it) vulnerable because someone else is unashamedly and boldly in-tune-with/serving/worshiping the Lord.  

But God sees more: He sees the contagious and inviting aura of one of God's children as they spill the excitement of faith as it overflows from their positively-charged life at the moment.  It's nothing to become jealous of (filled with contempt...  ~Samuel 6:16), it's something to become infused with, encouraged by, and ignited from.  

Then I feel the invisible finger of the Lord pointing at my heart: How shallow, unsupportive, and spiritually-blind. 

We should rejoice in the times when a brother or sister in Christ is on-fire for Him.  Is filled-up and overflowing with joy for Him.  May we be inspired by their willingness to look even more foolish than this for Jesus!

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Michal's easily-recognizable selfish behavior reminded me that sometimes I get too high on my spiritual horse.  

But that is never the posture that God is seeking from us.  

Sometimes he wants us on our knees...and sometimes He wants us leaping and dancing before Him, looking foolish to others and even being humiliated in our own eyes.  Like David, we can feel no embarrassment in what we are doing (or what others are doing) if it is being done for God and and to honor God (not ourselves).  

Today, maybe we need a reminder of how to treat people.  

Today, maybe we need a reminder of how not to treat people.  

And perhaps today we need a reminder that we are not the "center of the universe".  

God is.  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com