4. Worship That Grows Deeper
“I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”
— 2 Samuel 6:22
David didn’t settle for where he was in worship; he was eager to grow further. Even after dancing with all his might, David saw more room to humble himself in worship. How about us? Are we stretching beyond our comfort zones, seeking deeper, more expressive ways to praise God?
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Pointing to Jesus: The Perfect Worshipper
While David’s worship inspires us, it ultimately points to Jesus, the true and greater Shepherd-King. David’s uninhibited joy foreshadows Christ’s perfect worship—a life lived in complete surrender to the Father, culminating in His ultimate act of love on the cross.
Only Jesus’ worship was truly:
- Total: He gave His all, even unto death.
- Scorned: He bore the ultimate shame for our sake.
- God-Centered: His life and death glorified the Father fully.
Through Jesus, our imperfect worship—whether reserved or exuberant—is made acceptable. Because of His perfect sacrifice, God delights in even our feeble attempts to praise.
Freedom to Worship
Davidic worship encourages us to let go of guilt and embrace the freedom we have in Christ:
- Freedom to Worship Boldly
We can dance with joy, lift our hands, and sing with abandon, not out of guilt or obligation but in celebration of God’s grace through Jesus. - Freedom to Bring Our Weakness
Even when our worship feels lackluster—uninspired, self-conscious, or weary—we can rest knowing that God sees it through the lens of Jesus’ perfect worship.
David’s story reminds us to loosen up, grow deeper, and look upward in worship. But ultimately, it’s Jesus who frees us to worship fully—not out of a sense of duty but in response to His life-giving love. Let this good news inspire us to worship, even to dance with all our might, as we celebrate the One who gave His all for us.
