In 2 Samuel 6, David gathers 30,000 chosen people of Israel to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This shows David’s recognition of the Ark’s importance and his commitment to making it central to people’s worship. David and all the people of Israel celebrate with all their might before the Lord, with songs and musical instruments. This highlights the joy and reverence associated with the presence of God represented by the Ark.
Even though David was trying to do a good thing, he had not obeyed God’s rule when they move the Ark in the past, but he realized that he had been wrong not to obey God’s order. After an initial failed attempt, David successfully brings the Ark to Jerusalem, recognizing that the Lord has blessed Obed-Edom’s house because of the Ark.
David started out by disobeying God’s instructions for carrying the Ark, but he had another chance to follow God’s way. This shows David’s determination and respect for the proper handling of the Ark. The reason David’s carrying of the Ark of the Covenant initially failed was not due to a lack of zeal or devotion, but because it was not done according to God’s Word. Zeal for God is recognised when it is based on God’s Word.
The Ark of the Covenant reminded God’s people that God was with them. David trusted God and wanted to honour Him. That’s why David brought the Ark to Jerusalem and held a giant and joyful celebration. As the Ark is transported, David sacrifices a bull and a fattened calf every six steps, demonstrating his deep reverence and worship of the Lord.
David dances before the Lord with all his might. This act of humble and passionate worship signifies David’s devotion and humility before God. When king David led the big crowd of people, they sang, shouting, and playing music to show their love for God. However, Michal, Saul’s daughter, did not join in the praise. She sees David leaping and dancing before the Lord and despises him in her heart. This introduces a contrast between David’s authentic worship and Michal’s disdain.
The Ark is placed in a tent that David has pitched, and he offers burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. David then blesses the people in the name of the Lord and distributes food to the entire assembly. This final act emphasizes the communal blessing and celebration of God’s presence among His people.
Today’s text underscores the significance of the Ark as a symbol of God’s presence, David’s dedication to worship, and the joy and unity experienced by the community in celebrating God’s presence among them. David’s act of humble and passionate worship signifies his devotion and humility before God.
Ephesians 1 emphasises the richness and completeness of the blessings we receive in Christ. Spiritual blessings rest on the will of God to provide grace and peace to His people. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ.
God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. We are predestined for adoption as God’s children, demonstrating God’s intentional love and purpose for us. God is sovereign, but we have free wills and are responsible for our actions.
However, God’s predestination should not be believed as limiting salvation. God has revealed in the Bible that He loves the world and wants all people to be saved by faith, and He is waiting for them to become children of God and members of His kingdom.
These are some Bible verses we know well, but we want to read them together to feel God’s love for us and to let God’s living Word speak to us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
“The Lord is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
These words of God’s salvation and love are delivered to us all without any qualification.
Through Christ’s blood, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God’s grace. This points to the sacrificial nature of Christ’s work and the grace that covers our sins.
God revealed to us the mystery of His will in Christ. This demonstrates God’s plan of unity and reconciliation in Christ. God’s aim is to unite all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. This shows the ultimate goal of God’s redemptive work.
In Christ, we have received an inheritance according to God’s plan and grace. This inheritance is a source of hope and assurance for believers. God the Son redeemed us, forgave us of our sins, enlightened us to know His will, and has given us an eternal inheritance.
Upon believing in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. If we have the seal of the Holy Spirit on us, no one can tamper with us. We are secure in God because we have his seal on us. This seal signifies security and God’s ownership. We are God’s possession. Therefore, we are secure, having the protection of God. We are authentic children of His, for His seal verifies it.
Today’s texts collectively emphasise the profound and multifaceted blessings believers receive through their union with Christ, highlighting God’s grace, purpose, and the confidence of our salvation and future inheritance.
In heaven and on earth, may we rest in God’s love, which is expressed in His offer of salvation and spiritual blessings in Christ. Because of all God has done for you, may we see ourselves as someone very significant. May we enjoy the fact that we belong to the family of God and be more grateful that God has forgiven our sins and given us eternal life.
Just as David praised God with leaping and dancing, may we be passionate worshippers who praise and worship God with all our hearts. We also want our worship and lives to be a joyful celebration.
Abundant blessings and glorious grace are poured upon us, for God’s own good pleasure. God has adopted us as God’s own children, made us to be God’s own people, and has given us an inheritance in Christ. God has chosen us to be holy and blameless in love, forgiven and redeemed through Christ. The focus is on God’s actions. This is not our doing; everything is a gift. God invites us to live for the praise of His glory. Our primary goal is to glorify God.
We are called not only to privilege and blessing, but also to discipleship and the suffering of the cross. While there are still many hurts and difficulties in and around us, we also want to remember, give thanks, and praise for the many blessings we have in Christ. Today, may we list things God has done for us and our church and celebrate them.
It is my hope and prayer that all of us and our church will praise God more fervently and worship Him more passionately as God’s children and Jesus’ disciples. May we also do our precious service according to God’s word and God’s way.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)