I Chronicles 15:25-16:1 King David found joy in his relationship with the Lord. I believe that it is at that point that he is known as a man after God's own heart. Yes, David did sin grievously, but he knew how to repent when confronted with his sin. David had a love relationship with the Lord that he valued very highly. In Psalm 42, he writes, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for you, O God." In Psalm 119 he says in many ways, in many verses, how blessed he is to be able to know God and to have the privilege to obey His commands. A hundred years before this, Israel had acted foolishly and carried the Ark of the Covenant into battle. The Ark was captured by the Philistines, and after some rather painful experiences was returned to Beth Shemesh and was moved to Kiriath Jearim. David wanted the Ark in Jerusalem near him. His first attempt failed because he tried to move it his way - he tried to move it in a cart rather than hand carried by the poles. The second time he was successful, and it was a time of great celebration and rejoicing. Sacrifices were offered, and David danced before the Lord in celebration, because the Ark of the Lord was coming home. Even as a man after God's own heart, David had to come on God's terms, not his own. We don't choose the way to come to God. Sin is a brick wall between us and God - it needs to be repented of and covered (forgiven). That only takes place through the shedding of blood-ultimately Jesus' blood. Heb. 13:15 tells us "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." Let us come before Him in celebration of His presence.

Celebrating the Presence of the Lord