And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering7 Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. (1 Ch 21:26–27 ESV)
IN THE MIDST of fear… worship!
This was a crisis. The Angel of the Lord was killing people right and left. The result of David’s sins, the Angel was terrifyingly present, and physically destroying Israelites.
At the very least, as hard as this story is to navigate, God was teaching two things. Frist, God was showing the desperate need for someone ELSE to take God’s wrath, thus leading to the Christ. Secondly, God was teaching of His love of mercy. Even before David’s begging for relief, God had abandoned His plan to destroy.
David’s actions, though, are fantastic. As the King (and others) stand before the dreadful angel with that terrible swift sword, David does not flee. David does not try to attack. David does not trot out some Philistines to be hit place of Israel.
Instead, David worships. Right there in front of the ravaging angel. Right there in danger. Right there where the terror was most present. David worships.
The particular form of worship centered around Awe, repentance, and humility. He calls on the name of the Lord (a formal phrase, usually) and offers Biblically defined and prescribed ceremonial sacrifices.
David Worships.
Perhaps we find it easier to praise God for His help after the dust settles. But David shows us otherwise. Perhaps we find it convenient to praise God at particular times, and catch up with our praising then. But David Shows us otherwise. Perhaps we pause to praise when we happen to remember what God has done. But David shows us otherwise.
Incidentally, Jesus did this on the cross, too…
In the midst of fear, worship.