Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Joy of Salvation
Psalm 51
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?
  1. 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.
  2. Joy comes from abiding in Christ. To abide means to walk in daily fellowship with Christ.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

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