Grace Devotional
Sunday, 12th January, 2025
Topic: PRAISE GOD WITH UNDERSTANDING 5
Text: 2 Samuel 6:12-23
Memory text:  
“Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.”
II Samuel 6:16 NKJV

Grace is a defense and a defender. Life without grace is a guaranteed disgrace. Praise is one of the best ways to access God’s grace.
According to our text, David was filled with emotion as the ark was being moved to Jerusalem, as the ark represented the presence of Yahweh. He was so overwhelmed with joy such that he ‘danced before the Lord with all his might.’ ( 2 Sam 6:14). It was accompanied by shouts and the sound of trumpets as David and all the Israelites were bringing it. This generous display of praise publicly revealed the great importance David  placed on the presence of the Lord, contrary to his predecessor.
As David led the procession of the ark into the city, he humbly laid aside his royal garments and wore a linen ephod. Michal looked through the window and despised him in her heart when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord. So, as David returned to bless his household, Michal met him on the way. She was probably embarrassed by his humility, saw it as lack of decorum, and that it was unfitting of his dignity as king. Sarcastically, Michal said to David, when he got to the house, "You were really great today!" she said. "You acted like a dirty old man, dancing around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls." (2 Sam 6:20 CEB).
However, David was unmoved and did not allow Michal’s criticism to discourage him. Rather, he intensified his dance, reiterating that he was dancing before the Lord and that he was even more willing to humiliate himself in the Lord’s presence. 
David praised the Lord with good understanding, as he showed deep gratitude, humility, and a true heart of worship. It’s also obvious that Michal, his wife, did not have any understanding of the God that David was praising and that David was in the presence of the Lord when she resented him. God saw the good that David did and the evil that Michal did. “The LORD sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.” (Prov 15:3 GNT). Thus, David’s attitude attracted blessings while Michal’s attracted the curse of childlessness (2 Sam 6:23).
Friends, it’s true that one’s attitude will determine whether one gets blessed or cursed in God’s presence. Do you look down from the window of your superiority on those who are lost in the praise of their Maker? Do you see such praise as eccentric, old-fashioned, obstinate, or absurd?

Prayer points
1. Father, please give me the attitude of gratitude and humility and let these reflect as I praise You, in Jesus’ name. 

2. Father, please help me to always praise You with all my might, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations 
1. One’s attitude during praise will determine whether one will be  blessed or cursed. 
2. Gratitude and humility, I will always treasure.