The Joy of our Salvation

Psalm 51:12 (KJV) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

What does this mean? How do we lose the joy of our Salvation? Perhaps you've felt this way. At one time you enjoyed the beauty of walking in the joy of the Lord. Life, regardless of the circumstances, felt wonderful. Praise and worship flowed effortlessly from your lips. The freedom of stepping out of your sin was incomparable and oh the joy that followed! So, what has changed?

Psalm 51 is a Psalm of David of deep repentance. His sin with Bathsheba and the consequent murder of her husband had left a major schism between him and God. It was dark and tangible. He knew what it felt like to walk near God and now... the quiet was deafening...What started as pleasure was replaced with guilt and condemnation. Sin has a way of doing that. The temptation is so enticing and if entertained it will eventually be acted upon. It's an empty pit, an illusion that never delivers what it promises and leads to destruction. It's the bait and switch of the enemy.

Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 

Oh, we know that we have atonement for sin, but that is only as we come to God in sincere repentance just as David did. 

Anything that causes separation from God will ultimately stifle our joy and peace. It's not just sin but noble acts as well. Are you so busy serving God that you no longer have time for Him? That's not His will either, He enjoys His time with His children and sits upon their worship, surrounding them with glory, power, and love! How do I know? I experience it daily as time is taken just to glorify Him! He inhabits the praises of His children!! Nothing is worth losing the joy of our Salvation! 

Keep your eyes focused on Him, seek purity and holiness. I've experienced terrible trials while still experiencing the joy of my Salvation and been through what should have been seasons of rejoicing, yet I was angry and depressed...We have a choice... Where is our heart and focus and will we traverse the most difficult circumstances on His terms? Repent quickly, keep Him first and seek Him with passion both in His Word and in His Presence! The joy of His Salvation will soon overwhelm and overtake you!!!

Revelation 2:4 (KJV) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Psalm 22:3 (KJV) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalm 51:9-17 (KJV) Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.