II Samuel 6:1-19
Ephesians 1:3-14
Dancing In The Streets
Dennis Plourde
July 15, 2012
How would you describe the Apostle Paul? A party-goer or a sour-puss? We know that people
wanted Jesus to be around them, they wanted him at their celebrations and parties. His first miracle
was at a wedding feast, producing the best wine. But what about Paul? My vision of him does not
sway toward him being the life of the party. And yet, Paul calls us to live our lives in praise of God,
“...to the praise of his glory.” This leads me to the question, “How is God to be praised?”
Our text in Samuel records David and the bringing of the Ark, the presence of God, to
Jerusalem. The story tells of the two attempts to get the Ark into David’s city. Each one begins
with a celebration (v. 5 and 12). The first attempt ends in tragedy. The Ark begins to tilt and Uzzah
reaches out and touches it and dies. The celebration stops.
For the people in David’s day the presence of the Ark means the blessing of God. David is
eager to have the Ark in Jerusalem and so a second attempt is undertaken. The process again begins
with a celebration, “...with David rejoicing” (vs.12). David dances wildly in the streets. This is a
time of praise and celebration, not one of constraint. The trumpets are sounded, the people are
shouting, something is happening.
As I was working on this I thought of the World Cup matches in South Africa and the irritating
(in my ears) horns (vuvuzelas) that were continually being blown. There was the noise of
celebration, people were aware of something being celebrated.
The praise on this day is for the coming of the Ark of God to Jerusalem. This is a day of
celebration. Everyone is celebrating the fact that God is now here. Everyone is included, there is no
distinction between rich/poor, etc. Even the King is dancing in the street. Everyone gets a gift. This
is a time for praise -- the angels sang in Bethlehem, the news was, God is here!
What do we celebrate? What are the causes of our celebrations: sport team victories, political
victories, the ending of wars, good report cards, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births. All of
these are times when we celebrate. These are times of joy. People are brought together, parties are
held and we celebrate. We may even dance in the streets. When was the last time you danced in the
streets? Have you danced in the streets. I have, it is even recorded!
Biblical celebrations are all God focused. They celebrate God’s presence in the lives of the
people of God. Crops are planted, harvests are in. Jesus was criticized for attending parties, for
celebrating. Jesus is questioned why John’s disciples fast and his do not (Matthew 9:14). As the
young girl is healed in Mark 5 Jesus’ instruction to the family is, “give her something to eat.” -celebrate what has just happened.
Luke 7:34 says, “The Son of Man has coming eating and drinking.” -- Partying. Jesus
celebrated life - God’s presence.
Paul calls on the Ephesians to praise God in all of life. All our life should be lived in praise of
God. As we look at the Psalms we see praise through drums, cymbals, flutes, voices. Anything can
be used to priase God. These are not solemn assemblies but ones in which the praise of God is
shouted in Temple and from the rooftops. The Temple had choirs -- I Chronicles 15 has David
appointing singers and musicians to serve in the Temple, in the presence of God. They are to be
involved in the praise and celebration of God. Our God is able and is worthy of our praise.
Yes, there are times when we need to be, in the words of the Psalmist, “...be still and know that
I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Several recent articles on the Web from young people answering what they
want in worship indicates that many are looking for times of quiet, a place for contemplative
worship. They are no longer being drawn by loud music. They are looking for a quiet place. A
place of reflection. There are those times when we need to be “still” before the Lord. When we seek
God in the quiet moments of our lives.
But, it is not one or the other but both/and. We need times to be alone in the stillness and there
are times when we need to “dance in the streets.” We need to celebrate each sunrise/sunset, each
new birth, etc. We need to be a people who are not afraid of celebrations, the joy of the Lord filling
our lives. God is here - celebrations are called for.
Had the privilege to meet with a man who had spent over 50 years as a member of the Salvation
Army Band. He had marched in all the major US parades with the Band and some in foreign
countries. He was proud of his years of service. Even though he could no longer play the trumpet it
was forever at his side. It reminded him of the years that he had spent in praise of God and of
drawing others into that praise. Our God is worthy of our praise.
Paul writes: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). The older son came home
from the fields and heard the music and the dance - a party was going on - there was no doubt about
it. When he asked why, Dad responds that his younger brother has come home -- “But we had to
celebrate and be glad..” (Luke 15:32 NIV).
Paul, “...to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:14).
NIV, New International Bible Society, Zondervan, 1973, 1978, 1985
NRSV, Division of Christian Education, NCC, 1989
Dancing In The Streets
II Samuel 6:1-19
Ephesians 1:3-14
Dennis Plourde
Sunday, July 15, 2012
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