No Joy, No Victory 5
We began discussing the story of David and his first wife Michal and we saw how bitterness and negative emotion in her heart jammed the flow of joy in her life. Let’s take a deeper look at their stories and see other lessons we can learn.
2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23 (NLT),
16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him. 20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” 21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23 Do Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
The story of Michal and David is a classic on love gone sour. Michal had made investments in David’s life before he became king and she must have been expecting some form of recognition and appreciation from David especially now that he had become King but nothing of such happened. Instead, she had to compete for a place in her husband’s heart alongside other wives and concubines. As his first wife this situation naturally created a lot of ill feeling in Michal towards David. Unknown to her, the negative emotions she was having towards David also created a negative effect in her, it was cutting off her joy. When there is no joy there can be no strength and when there is no strength there can be no victory.
In spite of all that happened between Michal and David, she could still choose to rejoice. Over what you might say? She could choose to be joyful when she was finally reunited with her first love. She could be joyful that God had kept herself and David alive to see again. She could be joyful that her place as the first wife was undisputable. Tough as all this might be, it would have served her better than being bitter. If you think very well about any situation you find yourself, you’ll discover there’s always something to be joyful about.
Take time to carefully think about your life, I’m convinced you’ll discover things to be joyful about. Let the joy flow freely and watchout and see how God would move in your life.
God bless you. Enjoy your weekend.