It’s exciting when we finally complete a costly and difficult task. King David’s mission accomplished was the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud-sounding cymbals, with harps and lyres. It happened when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart. (1 Chron. 15:27-29)

Is there a difference between celebration and worship? There are plenty of celebrations that include no thought of God, so they are not worship. However, worship often celebrates what God has done for us. If it focuses on Him and does not drift toward ungodly party behavior, surely it pleases God. And what’s a celebration if it isn’t exuberant?

David’s procession vibrated with noisy, colorful action. The cymbals set the beat, singers and strings the tune, voices and trumpet blasts rose above them all. Excitement gripped Jerusalem; people stopped their work and swung open their doors to watch. Michal went to her window. There was David, her husband, throwing caution to the wind and dancing before the Lord with all his might (2 Sam 6:14).

These verses show how expressive our worship can be—strained vocal chords, odd assortments of instruments (some out of tune or time), and moving body parts! Certainly quiet reflective adoration is a precious form of worship, but let’s not forget to celebrate. The greatest mission ever accomplished by God was to restore us to His presence through the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from death. That’s always worth celebrating.