Celebrate The LORD

I remember a series of commercials done by an entertainment company years ago.  It was effective marketing at the time.  The commercial was set up as an interview with someone who had just accomplished something great.  The interviewer would say something like, “David, you just became king over all Israel and defeated your Philistine enemies.  What are you going to do now?”  Then, the person being interviewed would say, “I’m going to _____________ ___________.”  (If you were around during the time of those commercials, you know the name of the place.)

Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were guiding the cart as it left the house, carrying the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. (2 Samuel 6:1-4 NLT)

When David settled in as king, he really did celebrate with a party.  The celebration, though, wasn’t an all-expense-paid vacation to an entertainment resort.  His celebration was focused around the One who had made him king and given him victory.  David celebrated The LORD.

David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments--lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. (2 Samuel 6:5 NLT)

Sometimes I think we forget to pause after a victory of enemy-fighting to celebrate the One who gave us victory.  The LORD gives us everything we need to live and eat and breathe.  The LORD gives us life and sustains all life.  The LORD gives us the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit so we can navigate life, fight our spiritual enemies, and win victory every time.  The LORD deserves our praise.  We should celebrate the LORD.

And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams' horns. (2 Samuel 6:14-15 NLT)

How about you?  Do you pause after a victory to think about what you are going to do now?  Do you take the time to remember why you won victory and have peace?  Do you Celebrate The LORD?