As the Ark of the Covenant was carried into Jerusalem, King David danced. He danced before the Lord. His wife, Michal looked out the window and saw what David was doing, and she despised him in her heart.

Every day we have a choice. Will we dance before the Lord? Will we move in God’s direction? We don’t stop before every situation to consider our choice: in this situation will I follow God’s direction or go another way? Maybe we don’t stop, because we don’t realize we have a choice, or maybe the direction we have chosen in life has become automatic and so we don’t have to stop before every situation. Much like walking involves a decision to put one foot in front of another. But we have a choice.

David and “all Israel” honored the Ark and worshipped God. Michal did not. She followed in the path of her father Saul (like father, like daughter). She chose to turn away from God and God’s people. Every one of us has a chance to choose. Michal made the wrong choice.

Matthew 18 points us toward restoration. Even when the wrong choice is made, restoration is available. That, too, is a choice for us.

Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones (believers of any age) should perish. (Matthew 18:14)