A Cry For Restored Joy

Psalms 51:12,13 says,"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." So many today in churches all across America have lost their joy and are not ready to admit it has happened. The good news I bear is that joy can be restored. The word "restore" itself implies that it is something that the Psalmist once had and needed to

recover. To "restore" can mean "to bring back into a normal or former condition." When one restores an old automobile, it means the owner seeks to bring the automobile back as close as is possible, to what it was when it was new. Let's look at several things in regard to the restoration of joy.

He does not ask God to return his salvation, for he never lost it, but rather his request is for joy. The Christian who has lost his joy is a pitiful sight..

I. The Request For Restoration- "Restore unto me the joy." No one ever recovers lost joy until there is a request for its return. Note several things about this request of the Psalmist.

First, it is earnest–he meant business with God, crying out of desperation.

Secondly it is expectant. He would never asked God to restore his joy if he did not believe that God would do it.

Thirdly, it is expressive. The Psalmist knew his joy was gone. He did not deny the reality of his condition. It expresses what the Psalmist knew about his inner life.

II. The Reasons For The Request- Why did the Psalmist ask the Lord to restore his joy? Sin and disobedience had run its course in David's life through his sin with Bathsheba, who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Rebellion, adultery and murder had caused tremendous problems in the life of the Psalmist. He was tired of sin and its consequences.

First, sin hardens. Hard hearted people are certainly not joyful people. It is the kind hearted saved folks who know joy.

Secondly, sin hinders. One loses his joy when there is unconfessed sin, because it grieves the Holy Ghost, who produces joy in the heart of every believer.

Also, sin handicaps. It so cripples one's life that he or she cannot think right, walk right, or feel right.

III. The Results Of Restoration- There are two major results in the context of our two text verses.

First, the result will be saints teaching.(Ps.51:13a). Teaching what? One who has joy restored will teach transgressors the way of God.

Secondly, the result will be sinners turning–"Sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Ps.51:13b).