1 David again assembled all the fit young men in Israel: thirty thousand. 2 He and all his troops set out to bring the ark of God from Baale-judah. The ark bears the Name, the name of the Lord of Armies who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart 4 and brought it with the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on the hill. Ahio walked in front of the ark. 5 David and the whole house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals….

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel honored himself today!” she said. “He exposed himself today in the sight of the slave girls of his subjects like a vulgar person would expose himself.” 21 David replied to Michal, “It was before the Lord who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. I will dance before the Lord, 22 and I will dishonor myself and humble myself even more…                                                                                                         –     2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 20-22a

A few days ago, I was sitting at my desk at work and had an unexpected visitor. One of the vendors that I do business with from California had stopped in for an unexpected visit. Their representative, William, and I have met before and have always enjoyed conversing about business; but this day, the conversation turned to much more important matters.

As a pastor, I often try to steer my conversations in a manner that will somehow incite spiritual thoughts and discussion; often weaving in the fact that I am not just a material planner, but also (and primarily) a Baptist pastor. When I did so with William, he had an unexpected reaction. There in the middle of our office area, in the midst of 30 or so people, William started beating his chest.

As first, I didn’t know what to think? Did I offend him? Was he shocked that I am a pastor? Was he choking on his lunch?

He almost did not let me finish speaking when he said (with the biggest smile), “I am a Christian, I am a Christian, Can I tell you my story?” So William stood in the middle of our office and proceeded to testify to the goodness of the Lord for almost 20 minutes. I was so impressed with his willingness to do so, his boldness for Jesus, and his excitement about testifying to the Lord.

I was impressed, and I was convicted. How many times to I lay down all my fears of embarrassment and rejection and simply testify boldly and publicly about the Lord? How often do I beat my chest in the public square to tell others about Jesus and His saving grace? How many times am I as excited as William was last week, or as King David was in the verses above about what God is doing in my life?

If I were to be honest, not often enough… If you were to be honest, what would you say? The next time the Lord is prompting you to raise your hands in worship or leave your pew and come to the altar… I implore you to remember King David’s example… to remember my friend William’s example.

May we boldly and unashamedly beat our chest and testify unto the Lord!

I love you all – Pastor John