Although Michal was David's first wife, she had the same attitudes as her father, therefore she was called "Saul's daughter", not David's wife. It's amazing that we become known by the people we emulate and follow, not necessarily those to whom we are aligned. Just as Saul was self-centered and bent on having control of everything, so was Michal. Even to the point of resenting David for his public display of his love for God.
Every family has at least one member who despises and ridicules us for our faith. That's just the way it is. Abundantly blessed is the family who can claim salvation for every member, immediate and extended. They are rare and precious gems. Even Jesus' natural brothers and sisters did not all accept Him as Messiah. The Bible records only one. So we are in very good company indeed.
Although Michal loved David and even saved his life, when the circumstances of her life changed for the worse, she allowed herself to become a bitter woman, feeding on her misery instead of turning her life over to God. When David danced his way into Jerusalem before the Ark, loving and praising his great God, Michal's bitterness turned to anger, then jealousy, and eventully hate and she spewed out her venom on David. Their once love-relationship died and ceased to be.
Feelings of bitterness, resentment, jealousy and hate that go unchecked will destroy any relationship. We must not allow these sinful feelings to escalate into open warfare. We must guard our hearts and minds against such things. When we see others totally immersing themselves in Jesus, reveling in the love and fellowship, unashamedly proclaiming to the world who the Lover of their souls is, we should join in the celebration, not criticize them for PDA - public displays of affection!! We're certainly not ashamed of some of the "over-the-top" PDA's that some people engage in today. We walk down the street holding hands with our loved one; we kiss one another in public; we snuggle together on park benches. It's part of our everyday life.
- Why don't we publicly declare our love for Jesus Christ as unashamedly as we declare our natural love?
- What is it that stops us?
- Why do we rail against those who do it?
- Why are we jealous of those who are freed up in their worship?
- Why do we permit our circumstances to dictate our reactions?
"Sweet Jesus, I love you. I lift my hands and dance in praise and worship of you. I refuse to allow the world to dictate how I will express my feelings for you. I rejoice with David as he danced into Jerusalem. My spirit soars in exctasy as I praise and worship you. Help me to be loving and gentle with others, so that they will be freed from the bonds of the world that would hold them back from their abandonment in you. As I praise and worship you, let my eyes be only on your face, I want to see only you. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
1 Chronicles 16:9
2 Chronicles 20:20-23
Psalm 5:11
32:11
104:33
Jeremiah 31:13
Hebrews 2:12
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