1.There is great blessing in genuine worship
12And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 2 Samuel 6:12 (ESV)
Gordon Keddie: God's blessings are real. We experience the goodness of God. This is not a merely subjective feeling about ourselves or about life. There is hard evidence to support it: marriage, children, the love of God's people, kindnesses, career openings, recovery from illness, preservation from harm, daily bread—all sorts of tangible realities that point to the loving hand of our heavenly Father. Psalm 84:11 (ESV)
3Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:3-5 (ESV)
2. There is intense examination in genuine worship
13And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 2 Samuel 6:13 (ESV)
The question David asked on the occasion of Uzzah’s death was, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” It has been answered in verse thirteen: only by blood atonement being made.
3. There is immense joy in genuine worship
14And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn. 2 Samuel 6:14-15 (ESV)
In David’s worship, the trappings of pomp and circumstance, displays of power, and concern for prestige were nowhere to be seen.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11 (ESV)
7Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! 9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah Psalm 24:7-10 (ESV)
4. There is community in genuine worship
17And they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts 19and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house. 2 Samuel 6:17-19 (ESV)
The peace offering was principally a festival meal that celebrated “peace” with God and security for God’s people.