My pastor recently preached a Thanks Living sermon. The scripture was from 1 Chronicles 16. It was the account of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back into the tabernacle he had erected. He offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. David gave to all the people of Israel a loaf of bread, some meat and a cake of raisins. Then he broke out into a song of praise of Thanksgiving before the Lord.
“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.” 1 Chronicles 16: 8-12 (KJV)
Whoever said that the pilgrims and Indians celebrated the first Thanksgiving meal obviously didn’t know about this story!
But I also got to thinking about the parade that took place before the meal. If you read in 1 Chronicles Chapter 15, it tells the story of the procession. It was very organized and consisted of musicians that played and sang along the way. They also wore their best linen garments and had sanctified themselves. The reason for the celebration? They were returning the Ark of the Covenant, the visible representation of the presence of the Lord, back to the place of worship.
When the procession entered into the City of David, King David was leaping and whirling around, dancing before the Lord. When David’s wife saw David from her window, the Bible said she despised David. From the account of this same occasion in 2 Samuel 6, she confronts David and tries to shame him for his un-kingly behavior.
“David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.” 2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NIV)
As I thought about this story, the Thanksgiving meal, the Thanksgiving song and parade, David joyfully dancing along, this verse really hit me.
When we focus on Thanksgiving about all the things we are thankful for, we thank God for all of His blessings. It’s natural to do that. At Christmas, we thank God for the birth of Christ and celebrate that. At Easter, we remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us, giving His life as payment for our sins. We celebrate the resurrection and the hope of living with Christ for all eternity.
But this parade, this celebration of David and the people of Israel, wasn’t on a designated holiday. It didn’t take place during one of the designated feasts. This celebration was all about God’s presence being back among the people.
After thinking about these verses, I had to ask myself. How often do I praise the Lord, not because of a special day, but just because of who my Lord is? How often do I truly come with real humility before the Lord? Yes, I’m truly blessed. But am I willing to be humiliated, willing to lose my dignity when it comes to openly, joyfully, expressing my praise just because I can feel His presence?
I’ve always been quiet and shy. I cry easily, but often feel embarrassed by it. You know how sometimes older people say exactly what they want, embarrassing or not, and people laugh and say they have earned the right to be that way because they are old? Well, I think I’ve reached that age. (I did just have a birthday.) I think it’s time to lose a little dignity. It’s time to be humiliated before the Lord and celebrate! I can’t say you might see me dancing, because I’m not very coordinated, but I pray God will be pleased by the uplifting of my hands, the song in my heart and on my lips!
I invite you to join this parade with me. May the people of God become more vocal at praising our Lord all year long simply because of His presence!