Bible thought: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12, NIV)
The sounds of crying filled our little church building. Our 3-year-old granddaughter came rushing into the arms of her mother. Through the sobs, we could make out her words, “I’ve had a hard day!” Several within earshot snickered. After all, what kind of a hard day could a 3-year-old have?
Psalm 51 evidently follows some days that were very hard for King David. Through a very well worded parable, the prophet Nathan confronts David with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the attempted coverup by having her husband killed in battle. The words sink in. David finally confronts the spiraling effects of his sin. His prayer of repentance and request for forgiveness make up the moving content of that psalm.
We have all had hard days. Typically, as in the case of David, our joy disappears. David tragically realizes that sin has taken away his joy and that joy should be part of his relationship with God. He begged for the restoration of the joy of salvation.
Paul reminds us to “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). That’s where joy is found – in the Lord! Hard days will come and go, but because of a relationship with God through Jesus, joy abides.
"If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere."
-W.A. “Billy” Sunday
Lord, as we focus on salvation and our relationship with you, may your joy overflow within us even during difficult times. In the name of Jesus who endured pain for the joy set before him. Amen.
Bruce M. Henderson is the pastor/minister of Airport Road Church of Christ in Carson City.