I love this chapter.
It's really interesting to see how it starts with David wanting to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem, but then becoming afraid of God's power, only to desire the blessing that comes from having the Ark (God's presence).
God is not just some fluffy, soft thing that brings us comfort. He is powerful, He is dangerous, He shouldn't be taken lightly. David was afraid of this aspect of God. And so he decided to keep it at a distance, sending it to the house of Obed-Edom. And God blessed Obed-Edom, and his entire household.
You can't pick and choose the aspects of God that you like. He is exactly who He is, and it's not possible to have one part of Him without the rest. That can be uncomfortable, because quite often we want to define who God is, rather than learn who He is.
David learned about the blessing that Obed-Edom had been experiencing, and decided that he wanted that; He was willing to accept the power of God that caused him to fear, knowing that blessings would come with it. Are you willing to accept God for who He is, rather than who you want Him to be?
During the transport of the Ark (the second time), they barely got a few steps before they had to worship God, offering a sacrifice. And all the way back into Jerusalem, and through it's streets, David "danced before the Lord with all his might" (v14). He wasn't doing it to show off, indeed there were some who thought he looked a fool; David danced for God, he expressed his worship without restraint.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are far beyond what we can understand, and that can be frightening. Please help us to understand who you are, and to put aside our assumptions. Help us to worship you without reservation, or consideration about what others might think of us.
Amen.