What is Extravagant Worship

David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14 CSB)

In this devotion, I would like to explore the concept of extravagant worship. Not just normal, but extravagant.

What does extravagant mean? Here are three definitions from Merriam-Webster:

• Exceeding the limits of reason or necessity
• Lacking in moderation, balance, and restraint
• Extremely or excessively elaborate

The scripture I am using for this devotion is from the account of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. For all his faults, King David loved the Lord with a passion few men possess.
In his great excitement at finally having the Ark in Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might. Not some easy swaying, but dancing with all his might. David’s dancing is extravagant worship.

This is the Ark of the Covenant, which is where the Spirit of the Almighty God dwelt. The Ark is holy to Israel. Yet, they didn’t treat this event as a somber, holy event.

No. David and all of Israel were excited to have the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, the City of David. They exhibited extravagant worship while bringing the Ark through the gates of Jerusalem.

Read the account from the beginning of Second Samuel six and you will see wherever the Ark is there is also a great blessing. It is no wonder all of Israel was excited to have the Ark in Jerusalem.

David dancing with all his might is what the Church normally sees as extravagant worship. I agree with this, but… There is another aspect we forget about concerning extravagant worship.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (Romans 12:1 CSB)

If giving our bodies as a living sacrifice is our true worship, what about doing it extravagantly? What would that look like?

To do this, we would have to discipline our bodies, shedding every bad habit and action that isn’t pleasing to God. We would make sure everything we do is God’s way of doing things with no hint of wrongdoing.

This would truly be extravagant worship. It is a life that is seen as living by God’s way of doing and being right. The life we live would then be righteous.

Think about your life. Ask God where you can be extravagant in your worship. God desires a life of obedience even more than He desires a life of sacrifice.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for giving me life. Every breath I take is because of you. It is in you that I live, move, and have my very being. I determine today to live my life, every deed, and action, in extravagant worship to you. I want the world around me to see a life lived in your love and power. I thank you for enabling me to do this. Holy Spirit, I permit you to stop me every time my actions are not showing extravagant worship. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Additional Scriptures

John 4:23-24; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 150:6; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25: Revelation 4:11; Psalm 100:1-5; Psalm 149:3