We should praise the Lord with our whole heart. Do we truly praise the Lord without shame and are able to say,”I don’t care what I look like”? Are we afraid of appearing undignified? Well, I have learned to praise the Lord with all of my heart. I listened to the following song:
UNDIGNIFIED PRAISE
I will dance, I will sing to be mad for my King
Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul
I will dance, I will sing to be mad for my King
Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul
And I’ll become even more undignified than this
Some would say it’s foolishness
But I’ll become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by the side
Songwriter – Matt Redman
You know how when you first hear a song you jump to a conclusion and say “I don’t like that song?” Well, undignified praise was not for me, until . . .
I was intrigued as I read the story of King David “dancing in the street.” In 2 Samuel, we have a king, “dancing in the street” and not caring or worrying about what others thought. The King had overseen the return of the Ark, and as it returned he couldn’t contain his joy. I’m sure joy bells were ringing in his soul. The joy in his heart and soul made him “dance with all his might,” leaping and dancing. I’m sure if they would have had break dancing back in the day, he would have been spinning around on the ground. It had to be a sight to see because as his wife, Michal, King Saul’s daughter, watched from her window, she didn’t care for her husband’s, the king, behavior. She was so disgusted, she despised him in her heart.
After celebrating with Israel and returning home to rejoice with Michal, she met him at the door with a rolling-head attitude, and sarcastically mocked him: “How glorious the King of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert” (2 Samuel 6:20). King David didn’t let that steal his joy. He responded by saying, “It was before the LORD, who chose me, who appointed me ruler over the LORD’S people, Israel – I will celebrate before the Lord – I will become even more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6: 21,22a).
The definition of undignified is “appearing foolish, lacking in dignity, demeaning, unworthy and unbefitting. David, the man after God’s own heart, was so in tune with God’s heart that he was unconcerned with the thoughts of the one who should have known his love for his God. He did not mind looking “undignified” for the Lord. His focus was on glorifying the true and living God and proclaiming, “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens” (Psalms 113: 2-4).
His anointed words are prayers for my life – “becoming more undignified” in my celebration for the goodness and greatness of the LORD. I pray that I completely release my fears and worship with great joy and expectation, inside and outside of the walls of the sanctuary. Oh to have the courage of David, to be willing to look foolish in the eyes of people in order to worship God truly and honestly.
“Song of Joy”
Prayer:
Gracious LORD God, You are worthy of all worship and adoration. The times I need to worship You with all my might isn’t just in the good times, but also more when I’m facing something completely out of my control. I’m understanding even more now it’s when l speak or sing of God’s wonderful power and majesty that You bring wisdom and peace. Forgive me for letting others’ opinions influence how I worship and praise You. Holy Spirit, please help me to focus more on your majesty and less on myself. I Love You, Lord! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Carol Turnbough aka “Song of Joy” – Song of Joy teaches and ministers to children and youth. She loves to praise God with her whole heart. She writes songs and skits to the glory of God and serves on the Music Ministry of Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. She also serves on the Christian Education Administrative Team and teaches Sunday School.