Critics at the Keyboard

"As the ark of the Lord was entering the city of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart." 2 Samuel 6:16

I want to talk about criticism for a moment. We now live in a world of faceless people, by way of the internet, that feel the need to be critical of all they hear and see. They are never genuinely happy for anyone, especially if someone has achieved a goal or had a baby or won a medal or accepted a proposal. I watch YouTube and follow certain content creators that have a similar lifestyle to mine. After watching a carefree day in the life adventures of a young mama or an empty nester like myself, I sometimes scroll down to the comment section to add a word of encouragement and to see the feelings of others that also took in the light hearted, easy going video entertainment.

It never ceases to amaze me at the number of disgruntled, hard nosed, unhappy souls that feel the need to throw out angry words of a critical nature to this unsuspecting videographer. Criticizing her for the way she buckles her child in the car seat, to how she chose to wear her hair for that particular day, or for heaven sakes if her eyes aren't set perfectly on her face. Harsh words can really roll out when that person sits behind the wall of a screen. But you know what...God hears, He can read, and worse yet he knows what's on our mind before it comes out in whatever way we choose.

This takes me back, way before technology when Michal (David's wife; by the way) is criticizing him for dancing before the Lord in worship. Unlike the cowards that sit at screens Michal confronted David about what she thought of his dancing and the Lord heard. Being critical speaks to the barrenness of our heart, not of the knowledge in our head.

Michal's focus on what David was doing instead of why he was doing it caused her to miss out. The unchecked criticism of her heart left not only her heart barren but also her womb until the day of her death. (2 Sam. 6:23)

So, let's look at the big picture. We will miss our dance of worship before the Lord if we sit in the seat of criticism. It hinders our walk with Christ and our impact on others. Pray that you will not fall to this type of attitude but rise above, remembering that God made each of us different, not so we can rate ourselves against each other but so that He can get the glory through our differences.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Thank You for each of our unique ways. May we love the way we are and honor those that are different than us. I give You all the glory and honor that You deserve in how we are made. May we each see the areas of our heart that needs cleaning out of any root of criticism. Help us to see others as You do. In Jesus' name. Amen.