Jump Start # 1279

Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

  Our verse today comes from David. He’s hit bottom. He’s still the king and lives in the palace and most would gladly trade places with him, but on the inside, deep within his heart, he’s crushed, broken and defeated. David broke one of God’s 10 Commandments. That led to him adding more and more sins to hide it and make it seem to go away. It never did. His adultery was known by God. A baby was born out of wedlock. A talented and loyal soldier was killed on purpose. David’s hands were dirty with so many wicked and evil deeds. How was it possible for him to sink so low? He was spiraling downward at a rapid pace. During this time, no Psalms are written. No prayers recorded. No goodness done. The bottom has fallen out of his soul. God waits. David doesn’t move. Finally, God sends one of his prophets to confront David. Face to face, the truth comes out. David’s secret is known. He has sinned deeply. God was angry, disappointed, yet willing to forgive David.

Our passage today is written by David as he seeks to find that peace with God. Being on the outs with God is no place to be. Realizing that you have disappointed God and lost His favor is a terrifying situation. David, with a broken heart, I expect with tears rolling down his eyes, pleaded for God to forgive him. He was so sorry, so wrong, so broken. Restore the joy of Your salvation. What a powerful expression.

This verse has been racing through my mind since yesterday evening. There were two men I saw last night that had tears in their eyes. One had wondered to the wilderness, away from God. We often do that. He knew it was wrong. He came to talk. He is back with God and wants to be back with the church. He is on fire for the Lord. While we were talking the other man showed up. He’s also a friend. With tears in his eyes, he was ready to be baptized. There has been many sermons pointed right at him. Many have talked to him. But finally, it was time. He was ready to give his life to Christ and start new with Jesus.

Both are good at heart. Both have been where so many of us have gone before. Life without the Lord doesn’t work. It’s a dead end street. Like David, the troubles and inner turmoil tear you up. Finally, a person realizes, this isn’t working out. Living without Christ isn’t the way to go. Instead of running from God, they run to God.

Last night ended with many hugs, smiles and hearts thankful to God for second chances and grace. The joy of salvation is what the prodigal experienced. This is so foreign to us. When we come back from doing wrong, we expect lectures. We expect beatings. We expect frowns and stern warnings. We expect restrictions and probation. We expect it will be hard. But God’s just the opposite. Running toward us, He orders not us, but His servants to bring the best robe, and sandals. He orders the prize beef to be butchered and a feast to be prepared. As He embraces us, He takes the ring off His hand, and puts it on our dirty finger. With tears streaming down the face of God, He welcomes us home. This is grace. This is God. This is the joy of salvation.

I never tire of seeing this picture over and over again. It never gets old. The lost home. The sinner saved. The hopeless finding peace and love. The dirty cleaned. Redeemed. Justified. Sanctified. Saved. Those are our words. We must never forget them. We must never grow weary of trying to help people back to Christ. It’s not about building congregations. It’s not about numbers. It’s about the lost coming home to God where they belong. This is the greatest story of all time. All of us have our own version of this story. The fun in sin leaves. Guilt and shame fill the heart. Fear takes over. The desire to be right with God drives us past any embarrassment, shame or other emotions. Broken, we ask God for a second chance. Sorry, we bow wanting mercy.

Amazing grace—I once was lost, but now I’m found. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. This was David’s prayer. This is our prayer. Satan messes things up. We get things all mixed up. We listen to the wrong people and make the wrong choices. We get dirty and become broken. God is the one who doesn’t throw away the broken. He restores. He fixes. He salvages. He saves.

That new life fuels a a greater passion. Walking with the Lord is such a wonderful expression and experience. Being able to worship the Almighty with His family. Being able to be an instrument that He uses to help others find this salvation becomes meaningful and important to us. Real hope. Real joy. Real Heaven.

From tears to joy…I saw it last night.

Way to go Josh and way to go Will. Walk strongly with the Lord. Lift your head up. You are forgiven, loved and pleasing to the Lord. Those that witnesses these things benefit. It swells the hearts of the righteous to see the grace of God in action.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Roger