Lower
David, the shepherd boy who became king of Israel, is one of the most beloved Bible characters. His adventures include protecting his father’s sheep from bears and lions, slaying Goliath the Philistine, and courageously fighting in victory after victory. For these things, but perhaps even more for his humility and tender heart of worship, God affectionately called David, “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22, I Sam. 13:14 NIV).
Not long after David was anointed king over Israel, he desired to bring the ark of God from the town of Ballah up to Jerusalem. Perhaps he was still enjoying the victory that the Lord had given him over the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim. He wanted more of God’s presence, wanted the ark of God nearer, and wanted to honor God by bringing it to Israel’s capitol city. David’s first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem, however, ended in disaster. The ark was not carried the way God told Moses it should and because God’s command was not followed exactly, the man Uzzah lost his life.
For David’s second try he followed God’s instructions to the letter. He even went beyond the requirements and stopped along the way to sacrifice and worship the Lord every six steps. As the procession neared the city the people could hear the worship, the shouts of praise, and the trumpets. It was a jubilant day for all of Israel … except for David’s wife.
She looked out of her window and saw her husband leading the throng. She saw him dancing, leaping, and praising the Lord God with all his might. But instead of becoming inspired to join in worship, she instead felt disdain and disgust. She did not appreciate how David was acting – so common and low, with disregard to his royal position. Scripture says, “she despised him in her heart” (II Sam. 6:16 NIV). As soon as he walked in the door, she voiced her disapproval.
When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” 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. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
II Samuel 6:20-23 (NIV)
What made David’s worship so exceptional was his disregard for his status, reputation, and image. He willingly and wholeheartedly became what Michal viewed as an embarrassment in his effort to lift up the Name of the Lord. Furthermore, David was willing to take himself even lower. We see in David a man who was chosen, blessed, and established by God (II Sam.7:18) who had a deep knowledge and trust in the Lord. Because of his intimate relationship and secure trust in God, David was unafraid to humble himself more and more.
I dare not fail to point out that “lower” and “deeper” are synonyms. They are so closely connected in meaning it seems that going “lower” may be the key to going “deeper.” After all, this was not the first time David had shown humility. He tended his father’s sheep and played music for king Saul even after he, himself had been anointed king. He later spared Saul’s life, leaving his own rise to kingship to God’s timing. David had proven himself humble and in constant pursuit of God’s own heart, and we have evidence of his deep and intimate relationship and trust in God through his writings in Psalms
So, the question for us today is, “If I want to go deeper, am I willing to go lower?” Are we willing to go even lower, like David who was a mighty, wealthy, and powerful king and leader of God’s people who said, “I will still be more lightly esteemed than this, and will humble and lower myself in my own sight” (II Sam. 6:22 AMP).
This concept of deeper is at the heart of my calling and ministry. Perhaps, like me, you have desired to go deeper in your relationship with God. There is always more in God and His word. My prayer this year is to dive deeper into God, His word, and into all the blessings He has for us! One important key is to exercise even greater humility—to not think of ourselves greater than we ought, and to not place ourselves higher than others in our own eyes (Rom. 12:3). Together, let’s lift up the Lord and those around us; and, by lowering ourselves, go deeper with the Lord.