Text: Psalms 51:8, 12

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 12:10-23

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalms 51:8, 12

MESSAGE

Nothing compares to the joy of salvation. It is as the joy expressed by the angel who brought the news of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds at night. It is was a great and glorious joy with hosts of heaven praising God (Luke 2:8-14).

The Bible describes to us how angels rejoice before God the Father when a sinner is saved (Luke 15:7,10). This same joy floods the heart of a sinner who is now declared not guilty.

In Psalms 32:1-2, the Holy Spirit shares with us the blessedness of the man whose sin has been cancelled, and who iniquity has been covered. God’s word says that God throws all his sins into the ocean of forgetfulness I.e. He remembers them no more.

For the believer walking in the light, there is a progressive joy. The joy that floods his heart everytime he appears before God in whose presence is fullness of Joy. The joy that springs from knowing that God is not angry with you anymore, and the peace of God.

David was a joyful king who enjoyed God’s presence. He speaks of his desire to be a door keeper in the house God and the gladness that fills his heart when told ‘let us go to the house of God’. (Psalms 84:10; 122:1)

It is only the forgiven and guiltless soul that enjoys this privilege. Believers can with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation. Adam and Eve had this joy of communion until sin came.

Whenever sin gains ground, the joy is taken away. This is because the soul can no longer access the source of his joy I.e Jesus. The moment sin came in the garden of Eden, the relationship was severed and the presence of God could no longer be felt. Sin breached the flow of joy.

When the soul is void of the joy of the Lord, little things begins to irritate, minor issues begins to trouble the soul becausee the source joy has been breached. It is the worst state anyone can find himself.

Saul lost this same joy and became a mad king. Sin stole the joy he once had when he was anointed king. He later needed music to stimulate joy and calm his nerves.

David also lost this joy, but he cried to God. His world came crashing down, God was no longer near to him. He cried, ‘restore unto me the joy of thy salvation’. This is a very critical matter that I hope we pray seriously about.

There is nothing more dangerous than knowing that God has left a man. Even if you are a preacher, humble yourself before the Lord and plead for mercy. Wherever restitution ought to be made, don’t be afraid to do it.

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength again. The saint must avoid sin, it robs the soul of the joy of the Lord.

REFLECTION

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalms 51:1

Cry out to God for the mercy that keeps a man from falling. If you have lost the joy of salvation, plead for the mercy that restores.

PRAYER

Father, Please do not allow sin to rob me of your in my heart.