A Passionate Life - David

David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.

2 Samuel 6:14-15

Though a man can hide some things deep within his soul, passion isn’t one of them.

When a man passionately loves his wife, it shows in how he speaks to her, talks about her, and treats her. When he feels passionate about his children, he gives everything he has for them. When he approaches his work with passion, he produces a steady stream of excellence.

When he feels passionate about God, everyone around him sees a heavenly flame in his eyes.

David was a man who expressed his passion. Though at times his passion got the better of him, everyone knew that he put his whole heart, mind, and body into everything he did.

Soon after David ascended the throne of Judah, he demonstrated his passion for God and his people. He immediately worked to reunite the battered kingdom of Israel that was almost torn apart by Saul’s godless leadership. He went to extraordinary efforts to bring the Ark of the Lord to its rightful place in Jerusalem, and as the Ark made its way into the city, David couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. He began dancing before the Lord “with all his might.” Most observers who saw his passion cheered him on.

David’s wife Michal also saw David’s display of unbridled passion, but she ridiculed him for it and questioned his motives.

David didn’t care. He knew that he acted out of deep love for the Lord, and he had no reservations about appearing a little foolish in his devotion to God. He intended to worship God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Most of us are probably more like Michal than like David. We need to ask ourselves what kind of passion we have for God.

Serve, love, fear, and worship God with all the passion you can muster. So what if someone thinks you’re overdoing it? Who cares if someone makes fun of you? The only important audience is God.