In 1st Chronicles chapter 17, we learn of how Michal the daughter of Saul poured scorn on David for dancing freely before the ark of the covenant.
I think the crucial lesson here is that, not everyone feels the same way as you do about God. By the lacklustre attitude of many who claim to be the Lord’s own, you will wonder genuinely why they are in church in the first place, or even what it means to be a child of God.
We have all been guilty of granting broad identities. A broad identity is given when you accept or embrace someone based on their claims or due to the label they wear. I am the guiltiest in this, no doubt. But we all start learning the hard way and understand that, not everyone reciting the Lord’s name does so with honesty.
The Parable of the Sower in Matthew chapter 13 confirms this. The workers assisting the farmer were perplexed to discover that, after planting wheat, tares managed to take root and sprout everywhere. The farmer tells them that it was the work of his enemy. Truthfully, it is difficult to separate the action of an actor from what the group he claims to represent stands for. After all, he wears their identity, speaks their language or takes on the role of their advocate. I suppose therefore, that the best way to destroy something is to identify with it or join it. Obviously, the devil understands this very well. The Lord tells the Parable to describe the problem; He also proffers the solution – stop judging people by what they say or wear, rather, judge by their conduct!
Isaiah chapter 60 paints a picture which seems so grim: what is false will greatly outnumber what is authentic. This is what he means by, “the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people”. Gross darkness over the church. Gross darkness will cover the nation. There is good news however, those who are true will be appreciated greatly and treasured. Gentiles – people from different backgrounds – will be drawn towards them. Kings will seek”the brightness of your shining”.
David danced in the open, not in someone’s space. That distinction is necessary because we have the responsibility of manifesting responsible Christianity. Gentiles will not be drawn to our faith if we pray or do church by taking sleep or peace from our neighbours. Pentecostal power must meet pentecostal wisdom! Pentecostal common sense.
We are not to take to evil or surrender our great spirits because some, or many as it were, have gone back. Some were never truly a part of us to begin with.
I don’t believe that Michal was always this way. God chose her in particular over Merab her senior sister who should originally have married David. The Lord knew Merab was not suited for David and so He overturned the plan. God will similarly scramble every arrangement that will conspire against your future, in Jesus mighty name.
Previously, Michal had a great spirit that was similar to that of her brother Jonathan. Both refused to give in to their father’s demand to give David up.
I have watched very many with wonderful spirits before God change with open-mouthed awe. The big question is, why? What for? I have never succeeded in wrapping my head around it.
Some pastors gave in to doing what they believed everyone was doing just to preserve their positions or save their misplaced sense of advantage. The plain truth is, nothing in all this world is worth going to hell for.
As a Christian worker in these many years, I am convinced that many did not fully give themselves to God from the outset, but that is their business. And let it absolutely remain their business!
Don’t allow anything, or anyone, to rob you of your great disposition towards the Lord.
