Newspaper Article 3

It has taken me a few weeks to get this up, but here is my third article I wrote for the newspaper. It got a bit long...oops...

Week Three: Who Are You Living For?

            In I Samuel 6, we see the account of King David returning the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. Though his first attempt ended in failure (due to a lack of regard for the instructions God had given on how to move the Ark), eventually we see David succeed in his task. I love the story of David’s second attempt. This time he follows the correct procedure for moving the Ark. With everything in place, David and the rest of the moving party start down the road. After six paces David calls a halt and orders a bull and a fatted calf to be sacrificed to God. The group continues in this way the entire journey, stopping every six paces to offer sacrifices to God. Not only this, but as they near the city, David is unable to restrain himself. He sheds his robe and begins to dance in worship before God. David’s wife witnesses his public display and despises him in her heart. When he returns to his rooms later that day, she confronts him about what she considers an embarrassing way for the King to behave in front of the common folk. Look at his response to her in verses 21-22:

So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the LORD. ²² I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes…

          

        David’s response to her accusations of impropriety is that he was acting before God and God alone. Not only that, but he was willing to humble himself even more if needed. I have shared this glimpse of David’s live with you for two reasons. First, you might have taken me up on my challenge from last week to speak up about your love for God in front of your family or friends. If you were met with less than open hearts and minds, you might feel something like David did when Michal reprimanded him. I want to encourage you to remember who you live for. Like David, we live to serve the Lord God in heaven. Even if we feel like we’ve accomplished nothing when we shared our love for God with others, we can remember that God is pleased with us every time we share Him.

            The second reason I want to share this story is to encourage you. Maybe you read my last article and wanted to stand up for your faith but just couldn’t do it – you couldn’t put yourself out there like that. Guess what? You can try again. The first time David went to move the Ark, he failed.  I’m sure he walked away feeling down and discouraged. However, he did not stop thinking about how to get the Ark back. When he was reminded about the Ark, he got up and decided to try again. This time he came with a plan. Maybe you felt inadequate to share your faith with your family yesterday, but don’t let that stop you from planning another opportunity to do so (Christmas is coming you know).  Even David (the man after God’s own heart) felt inadequate and failed occasionally, but he didn’t give up. Give thanks that God allows second chances. Enjoy your leftovers and be encouraged that you can still try again tomorrow if you didn’t make it today.