Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Joy of Salvation
Create in me a clean
heart, O God..Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy
free Spirit (Psalm 51:10-12)
In this psalm we see the
prayer of a contrite heart. Here we see David’s humble prayer of confession and
forgiveness after committing adultery and murder. When David had done these
terrible sins, the guilt of these sins had taken him away from the fellowship
with God once he enjoyed, robbing him of the joy of his salvation. David did
not lose his salvation when he sinned, but he did lose the joy of his
salvation.“Create in me a clean heart” is a prayer we all should pray daily to
experience the communion with God. Restore to me the joy of your salvation
means it was there once, now Lord, put it in my heart again because I lost it –
a humble plea! David’s plea must be ours, “O Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is
great.”
As long as David was living
in sin he had no joy. His fellowship with God was broken. Holy Spirit, the
source of joy, was grieved. Now that he repented of his sin, David experienced
the divine cleansing and is seeking a renewed Spirit. Only the Lord can restore
joy. If we ask the Lord, He will do it for His own glory and our benefit.
It’s true that salvation brings joy, not happiness, which is derived from
the Greek word ‘hap’ meaning ‘come and go’. Joy is the result of the
supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit as we read in Galatians 5:22.
The world today lacks joy
and is full of shadows, disillusionment, and fear. The world’s system fails to
tap the source of joy. God, by His Spirit, directs His joy to our bleak,
problem-riddled lives making it possible for us to be filled with joy
regardless of our circumstances.
So how can we restore the
joy of our salvation?
- Realize
the source of believer’s joy and seek a close relationship with Jesus.
True joy transcends beyond the waves of circumstances. Joy comes from a
consistent relationship with Jesus.
- Joy
comes from abiding in Christ. To abide means to walk in daily fellowship
with Christ.
- Psalm
51:1-2 tells us to admit that we are sinners and ask God to forgive and
blot out our sins; ask God to wash us clean.
- Psalms
51:10 -12 - ask God to create in me a pure heart; restore a steadfast,
constant Spirit within me.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am a sinner; have mercy on
me. Fill me with your Spirit and help me to abide in you. Preserve me, O Lord
in your grace. Amen.
Thought
for the day: Joy is the flag that flies high above the palace when the King is in
residence!
Thomas Philip, Christos MTC, Philadelphia