There is a fascinating story in 2 Samuel 6:12-23 that describes the moment that King David brings the ark of God into Jerusalem. He is overjoyed and shows it with his worship, but his wife is embarrassed.

In verses 14-16, the writer describes the scene:

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.”

King David was not just anyone. He was a man of stature with a public image to protect. Yet, he led the way in worship by dancing with all his might. Why? What was the reason for his worship?

David was grateful.

David could have been killed by the giant, died at the hands of Saul, or worked in the fields as a shepherd his whole life. Instead, He was the king and was welcoming the very presence and blessing of God into the “city of David.” David had 10,000 reasons to dance.

Worship is about gratitude. In fact, the depth of your gratitude determines the intensity of your worship.

Show me someone who recognizes that they were dead in their sin and separated from God, but who is now forgiven and set free, and I will show you someone passionate about worship, prayer, and obedience.

David’s wife, Michal, wasn’t grateful. She was cold-hearted toward God like her father Saul had been. She was a critic and a passive onlooker. To Michal, David’s worship was an embarrassment.

How would David respond?

“I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.” 2 Samuel 6:22

David was unconcerned about what anyone, but his God, thought about his worship.

David to Michal: “I can’t stop. Won’t stop. I’m too grateful.”

David was done caring about how he looked to the people around Him. God was the audience for His worship. He had determined to live for the approval of his God.

This is the way of all those who live for an audience of one. They know they look strange to the world. They know not everyone understands. They know that God’s opinion is the only one worth living for.

What is worship? Worship means “to ascribe worth to someone or something.” We worship God because He is worthy. We worship because He is deserving. And we worship because we are grateful.

So very grateful.