Joy in Salvation

I suggest reading all of Psalm 51.  I will concentrate on verse 12 today though I also added 10 and 11.

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

David was distraught.   He had had been identified as an adulterer and a murderer.   He deserved a harsh penalty.  He deserved death.  A man from humble beginnings, David had rose straight to the top of his nation and became king. 

Now in Psalm 51 we see him writhing in anguish.  He knew his wrongdoing.  He should have been with his army but he was told to rest.  He looked over a banister, down into the village, and saw a beautiful woman bathing.  He did not hide his eyes.  Instead he called for his guard to bring her to him.  He slept her her and defiled her - and she became pregnant.

David had to hide the evidence.   He called for her husband to return to her from battle.  Unlike David, this honorable man refused any pleasure as long as his men were in battle.  David sent him back and had him murdered in battle. 

This Psalm is David's apology.   He is gutwretched by his actions - by the sins he thought were secret...

Secret sins are never secret.  Secret sins do not have to be the end either.  David, a murderer and an adulterer,  was asking for forgiveness.   He wanted to start over.  

Why start over?   The joy of salvation was missing.   The peace of having a Savior was gone.  God brings salvation so we can have peace.   Sins rips us apart and is never satisfied.  Sin begets more sin.  God wants us to have peace and salvation from that way of life.

David wanted peace from the tragic sins that plagued him.  He wanted a willing spirit to accept God's punishment for sin, and the power of God to keep going. 

You do not have to struggle alone with your past or if you have hidden secrets now.  Jesus is a talk away.  There are God honoring,  Bible believing church bodies still around.    I pray for your peace today.