Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Back in verse 10, David asked God for a 'steadfast
spirit". And perhaps you thought that that sounded a bit dreary. Steadfast can be the sort of word we associate with over-long walks in the rain: plodding along, one foot in front of the other, knowing you'll get there eventually but certainly not enjoying the experience! Some people see the Christian life like that - heaven sounds great but the business of living as a Christian in the
meantime seems dull and burdensome.
This verse reminds us that when David thinks about
'steadfastness' he doesn't mean 'dull and dreary'. He knows that life in relationship with God is a GOOD thing. Not just an unpleasant necessity to be endured, until we get to the good stuff later on. There is joy in his
relationship with God - joy in knowing that he is loved and chosen and rescued. That joy has been crushed under
the weight of his sin, but it can be restored. And so he prays that it would be. He doesn't have to try and summon up joy from within himself - it is God's gift to him. Just as his salvation is actually God's salvation - achieved by
God and given by God and not in any way David's own doing.
He also prays that God would give him a spirit that is not
only steadfast but willing. That he would live out his relationship with God enthusiastically, rather than grudgingly.
What about us? Are you joyful about your salvation, and
willing in your following of Jesus? Or unwilling, feeling that discipleship is a burdensome duty? Following Jesus will always be hard - after all, we are called to die to self and live for others, which is bound to be painful. But if
we are sustained by the joy of knowing that we are loved, chosen, forgiven, rescued children of God, then we can follow Jesus willingly.
If that's your experience today, thank God for the gifts of
salvation and joy. And if that's not how it feels for you right now, then pray as David does here, that God would restore your joy and willingness to follow him. And spend some time remembering your salvation, which is the best and most lasting source of joy we could ever have.
