CHAPTER 17 WITH ALL HIS MIGHT
In each of the previous two chapters I have been led to touch upon the combined topics of praise and worship. Each time I believe that the Scriptures have shown us that, for the most part, the Church has tragically failed to live up to God's directions concerning the time we are to devote to these twin activities, the ways and means we are to employ while participating in them and the intensity of our commitment to them. On a more positive note during these same studies we have also seen the blessings God has in store for those of His family who honor His directions in these areas.
At this time I would like to continue along similar lines, only this time we will delve into the physical nature of praise and worship. The title of this study comes from II Sam.6:14 wherein we are told that David, "wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might..." This verse shows us two things, first he danced before the Lord, and secondly, that he did it with great vigor. Since we know that David was a man after God's own heart (I Sam.13:14; 16:13 & I Ki.15:5) let us begin this study with a closer look at this type of physical praise.
Obviously dancing is associated with times of happiness and joy. It is therefore not surprising that Moses' sister, Miriam, led all the Israelite women "... with tambourines and dancing..." (Ex.15:20) after God delivered them from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. In Jer.31:10&13 we are told that the regathering of Israel from all the nations of the earth to which she was scattered will bring about more of the same, for then "...maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well."
Some people may think that dancing is not proper 'in church.' However Ps 30 was written by David for the dedication of the tabernacle and in verse 11, while referring to God, David wrote, "You turned my wailing into dancing ..." (see also Ps.149:1&3). Ps.150:1&4 adds to this by directing us to "Praise God in His sanctuary... Praise Him with tambourines and dancing..." For those, who at this point still choose not to praise God in this manner, let me point out a word of caution concerning your attitude towards those who do.
As you will recall, David danced before the Lord with all his might. However, unlike the rest of Israel, his wife Michal (Saul's daughter) chose not to take part in the worship procession. She was satisfied with watching the whole thing from her window (II Sam.6:15&16 & I Chron.15: 28-29). Not only did she fail to participate, but she despised David for his actions (I Chron.15: 29). For this she became barren until the day she died (II Sam.6:23). She could not claim the promise of Ps.113:9 which says that the Lord our God "...settles the barren women in her home as a happy mother of children." However, she failed to remember the admonition of vs.3 which reminds us that "from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the Lord is to be praised."
Do not misunderstand me, I am not saying that failure to dance is in and of itself the problem, it is only a symptom. Perhaps Michal did not want to get her 'Sunday go to meeting clothes' all wrinkled, or perhaps she was too proud, and was worried that some people might think she was being "Pentecostal." The point is, being in the presence of God, there represented by the Ark of the Covenant, was apparently not sufficient motivation for her to be joyful. Failure to participate may be the first step toward spiritual barrenness. Therefore, make sure you guard your heart so that you do not despise or mock those who do participate- lest you also become spiritually barren.
In Acts 15:16 we are shown that David's tabernacle will be rebuilt. In and of itself this should tell us that dancing and leaping before the Lord as David did is not simply an Old Testament concept, but is intended by God to be a permanent part of our praise repertoire. However, we do not need to rely solely upon such conjecture, for the New Testament itself gives us some specific directions concerning dance.
According to I Pe.1:8 our belief in Jesus and our agape love for Him will cause us to be filled "... with an inexpressible and glorious joy." The Greek word translated as "joy" in that verse is aqalliao, and means to "jump for joy." Literally then, if you agape Jesus and truly realize that you are receiving the "salvation of your souls" you will jump for joy. This is exactly what happened to the jailer and his family in Acts 16:34. "The jailer brought them (Paul and Silas) into his house and set a meal before them, and the whole house was filled with joy (aqalliao) BECAUSE they had come to believe in God" (parenthesis and emphasis added).
Jesus tells us to rejoice (aqalliao) and be glad over the reward which is ours in heaven (Matt.5:12). And should there be any doubt that physical leaping was intended by Him, the sister verse to this is found in Lk.6:23 and it is translated "leap for joy." He also tells us in John 8:56 that Abraham jumped for joy, ie. aqalliao or "rejoiced" at the very thought of seeing the day of the Lord. We are even told that we should go so far as to express this type of joy when we suffer for our faith (I Pe.4:13, see also chapter 1 of A Closer Walk).
In a more round about way Jesus again directs us to rejoice like this when He gave us the Lord's prayer! Allow me to explain. From Matt.6:10 we know that we are to pray that God's will be done on earth at it is in heaven and Rev.19:7 shows us that "jumping for joy" is part of the heavenly scene as well. For too long the Church has acted like the only ones who should jump and leap before the Lord are crippled beggars who have been healed like the one in Acts 3:8.
In Rev.2:4 Jesus admonished the Church at Ephesus because she had forsaken her first love (agape). If you don't "feel" like jumping, or leaping, or dancing before the Lord - at least some of the time - it is possible that you also have forgotten that first love. Remember, your love (agape) for Him will cause you to be filled with aqalliao (I Pe.1:8). If it is your upbringing, training, or tradition that has taught you to over ride that feeling, then you must choose between what the Word of God says on the subject, and what "religion" has told you is acceptable.
Still not sure that dancing or jumping or leaping before the Lord is for you? Let's take a final look at the subject; and I mean "final" as in the end times. While referring to the New Heaven and New Earth which God is preparing, He tells us "...be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create ..." (emphasis added Isaiah 65:18) The Hebrew word for 'rejoice' used there is guwl, and it means to "spin around joyously." Notice carefully that it tells to do so now over what God is going to do in the future, much like Abraham did when he thought about the day of the Lord. While prophesying about the day when death will be swallowed up forever, Isaiah again tells us to "rejoice" (guwl) and be glad in this salvation (parenthesis added (Isaiah 25:8-9).
In chapters 7 and 9 of The Last Enemy we will discuss in greater detail the concept of overcoming, mature, manifested Sons of the Most High God coming from Zion. Ps.149:2 tells us that the people of Zion will be glad (guwl) in their king, and verse 3 specifically directs them to "praise His name with dancing." The very prophecy of Jesus' first coming directed the daughters of Zion to "rejoice greatly" (guwl) (Zech.9:9). So also does the prophecy concerning His return as recorded in Joel 2:23. Therein we read, "Be glad oh people of Zion, rejoice (guwl) in the Lord your God, for he has given you in righteousness the autumn rains." (parenthesis & emphasis added). How often have we prayed for God to send the latter rain, and yet not rejoiced as that verse directs?
How often have we sung the refrain of Ps.118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it", and not given any thought to the meaning of the word "rejoice" used therein? You guessed it, the Hebrew word for `rejoice' used there is guwl. The next time you watch a football game, baseball game, or basketball game notice the hometown fan's reactions as their team scores. You will see leaping, spinning around, and even some dancing. What's more, the vocal volume is thunderous. They come closer to worshipping their team than we do to worshipping and praising our God. Now, don't get me wrong, there is a time for silence before the Lord, but for the most part we have been silent for over 1800 years.
Return to II Sam. 6 and this time look at verse 15 "... (T)he entire house of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts ..." (emphasis added). The Hebrew word for 'shouts' used there is t'roo gah which means "clamor ... loud noise, rejoicing." That is the same word used in Ps.27:6 wherein God directs us to sacrifice "shouts of joy" in His tabernacle. Imagine, God is actually directing us to shout in Church. Ps.89:15 promises that "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim (t'roo gah) You." Ps.81:1; 98:4; 100:1 and 66:1 among others, all direct us to "Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth."
Should you have any questions concerning the volume involved, read Ezra 3:11&13. Therein you will notice that when the altar of the New Temple was dedicated "... all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord ...the sound was heard far away." Similarly, when the walls of Jerusalem were dedicated "... the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away." (Neh.12:43). In Rev.5:11-12 and 7:9-10 we are shown that the singing was in a loud voice, and in Rev.9:1 John tells us that he heard "... what sounded like a roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah" (emphasis added). Remember, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt.6:10 KJV).
According to Isaiah 64:5, God meets those who rejoice in Him (KJV). The word for "rejoice" used there is siys, and means to "be glad greatly and make mirth." Again, a fervency is denoted, but a tremendous blessing is also promised for those who will `go for it.' Ps.70:4 and 40:16 tell us that all who seek God will rejoice (siys) in Him. Seeking Him means wanting to come into His presence, and this introduces us to the third area of physical praise I wish to discuss.
As you will see in chapter 19 we "enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." (Ps.100:4). What is interesting though is the word used for 'thanksgiving' in that verse. That word is yah dah, and literally means to "worship with extended hands" or to "throw up the hands." That word is used more than 100 times in the Old Testament and whether it is translated as "thanksgiving" as it is here, or as "praise" or as "confess"; it denotes the physical raising of hands in conjunction with verbal expression.
Among other things, the priests appointed by Nehemiah were chosen to "give praise and thanksgiving (yah dah) ... as prescribed by David, the man of God." (Neh.12:24). David the King, wore the ephod of a priest when he physically praised God (II Sam.6:14). As for us today, remember that we have been called a kingdom of priests and kings for the purpose of praising God (I Pe.2:9). As a sacrifice of praise David called out, "may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice' (Ps.141.2)
He tells us that this is not to be a once-and-a-while form, of praise. In Ps. 88:9 he says, "I call to you O Lord, every day; I spread my hands to you." He wasn't the only one to praise God in this way. Solomon and Ezra, indeed all the people praised God of this manner (II Chron.6:12-13; Neh.8:6 & Ps.67:3-4). And just in case you might also think this should not be done in Church, turn to Ps.134:2 and read God's directions to us to "Lift up your hands in the Sanctuary and praise the Lord." For the final hold-outs who won't do anything unless they also see it in the New Testament, we have Paul's clear direction to the Church in I Tim. 2:8, "I want holy men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger or disputing."
David danced before the Lord with all his might and Jesus showed us that we should do so also. This is clearly what those who live in Zion will do. We have seen that those who voluminously acclaim Him are blessed, and that He meets those who do so. We have also seen that those who seek Him will physically rejoice in Him, and that the thanksgiving with which we enter His gates denotes a physical raising of the hands. In short, we are to love Him with all of our spirit, with all of our soul, and WITH ALL OF OUR BODY (Deut.6:5) True praise of the Most High God requires total participation of all our faculties. "Clap your hands, all you nations! Shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the Great King over all the earth." (Ps.47:1-2).
Return for a moment to Ps.118:24. "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice (guwl - spin around joyously) and be glad in it." Matt.26:30 tells us that just prior to leaving for the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn. According to all Jewish custom and tradition the last Psalm sung at the end of the Passover feast is the 118th Psalm. There is therefore every possibility that prior to facing that final 24 hours, Jesus "rejoiced" in the day God had set before Him by dancing before the Most High. As such, part of the strength Jesus received that night was based upon the principle found in Neh 8:10, "... the joy of the Lord is my strength." Heb.2:2 tells us that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. The fullness of God's joy, and hence also the fullness of His strength, is found in His presence (Ps.16:11 KJV). And as has so clearly been shown, we are to enter into God's presence with praise: joyous, physical, voluminous praise (Ps.100:1-2 & 4, Ps. 95:2; Isaiah 64:5 (KJV) and Isaiah 51:11). Failure to physically praise God has robbed God's people of the blessings hereinabove set forth. Furthermore, it has also robbed them of the strength they need to overcome.
We are told in Ro.14:7 that the kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace, and joy. In chapter 5 of The Last Enemywe will discuss in great detail the difference between spirit, soul and body, as well as the salvation that God has planned for each part of our being. For now though merely consider the concept of Jesus being our Passover experience; ie, by His sacrifice we have righteousness, or right standing to come to God in the realm of the Spirit. We then looked at the Holy Spirit as our Pentecost experience through whom we obtain peace in the soul realm, ie. peace of mind. These have all happened on the earth. Similarly, there is to be an earthly tabernacle experience with the Father (El Elyon), and that is to be in the realm of our physical body. Praise and worship in all three realms is important here on this earth today, not just some day 'in the great beyond.' Joy is predominately a physical thing. It is expressed most visibly in the physical realm.
In chapters 2 and 4 of The Last Enemy we will consider the relationship which exists between the Glory of God and our physical bodies. As you study these chapters, note that it was the Father's glory which shown upon Jesus' physical body on the Mount of Transfiguration (II Pe.1: 16), and it will be in the physical bodies of those who come from Mt Zion that it will again radiate upon the earth (II Cor.3:18; Dan.12:3 & Ro.8:18-19). Let me therefore ask you this question: "Do you believe that the Most High God will place His glory in and upon your physical body if you will not praise Him with it now?" WE CAN KNOW GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE WITHOUT ENGAGING IN SUCH SCRIPTURALLY ORDAINED PHYSICAL PRAISE, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO REFRAIN FROM THIS TYPE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP WILL EXPERIENCE THE GLORY OF GOD ON THIS EARTH - ie. they will not be alive and remaining when the prophecy we saw in Isaiah 25:8-9, which directed us to guwl (spin around joyously), is fulfilled in I Cor.15:51-54.
satan is the thief (John 10:10) and he knows that he can rob us of our physical joy and strength in the Lord if he can continue to prevent us from physically praising God as the Scriptures direct. What's more, he robs God of the joy He receives when we praise Him. That's right, God "rejoices" (guwl) when we praise Him (Isaiah 65:19 and Ps.149:4). And when we do not praise Him as He desires, then we are robbing Him of some of the very pleasure for which we were created (Rev.4:11 KJV). Do not allow satan to use your pride, fear, or 'social constraints' to prevent you from dancing before the Lord, shouting praises unto God or raising your hands in thanksgiving to the Most High. For now you have seen that God desires such activity on our part, both for His pleasure and for our own strengthening.