The Joy of Salvation

The Joy of Salvation

Scripture:  Psalms 51:12

Introduction: David wrote this psalm after the prophet Nathan had rebuked him for his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11–12).   David is in extreme mental anguish and heart-guilt. He has committed adultery with Bathsheba and then arranged for her soldier—husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. Now the prophet Nathan has confronted David with his crimes — and he is devastated.

This is the greatest of the psalms which deal with sorrow and repentance. David cries out to God for mercy, cleansing and a new start. Although he has ruined the life of a beautiful woman and destroyed a brave and faithful man, his main crime has been against God.

David is aghast that he could have done such a thing. He accepts that it is all entirely his fault. He doesn’t blame ignorance, depression or unruly passion. He doesn’t plead that Bathsheba was half-responsible, or accuse Uriah of neglect. It is from his own sinful nature that these acts have sprung — from the sin ingrained in him and in all humanity from birth.

There is no sacrifice that David can offer for the sins of adultery and murder. Unless God forgives him and recreates him, he is lost. But he is not despairing. He holds on to what he knows of God — that he is compassionate and yearns for his people with the utmost love. David prays that his gracious God will wipe away this appalling sin and thoroughly cleanse his heart and soul.

  He longed for cleansing (51:7) and for the restored joy (51:12), renewed ministry (51:13), and heartfelt praise (51:15) that would surely follow. He understood that God desired repentance, not sacrifice (51:16–17). He believed that if God would forgive and restore him, it would bring revival to the whole nation (51:18–19).

·        Here is an inside view of a man getting right with God

·        The baring of a man’s heart after an encounter with failure

·        It is Also a Psalm of the King

·        David is the leader … politically … spiritually … even musically

·        It is a psalm with which we can identify, because we also fail

Transition: David did not lose his salvation. He lost the joy of his salvation, and he wanted communion with God restored. For he found out, as the prodigal son found out, that there is not nearly as much fun in the far country as there is in the Father’s house.  He wanted all this for a purpose:

I.  David had Known the Joy of Salvation

1.     “Restore” indicates he has possessed it before

2.     A search of the Psalms reveals that truth

·        Psalm 9:1: “I will praise thee”

·        Psalm 21:1: “The king shall joy in thy strength”

·        Psalm 23:5: “… my cup runneth over”

·        Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the Lord at all times”

3.     There is good reason for this joy

·        The joy of forgiveness

·        The joy of the assurance of heaven

·        The joy of the presence of the Lord

·        The joy of finding the answer to life

4.     This joy is available to you through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

II.  David had Lost the Joy of his Salvation

1.     “Restore” indicates that he does not have it right now

2.     David has a lot of company

·        Many are filled with gloom who were once filled with glory

·        Many are burdened who once were blessed

·        Many are sour who once were filled with song

·        Many are pouting who once were praising

3.     The affair with Bathsheba

·        David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David send and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

·        Sin has robbed David of his joy

·        The song is gone

4.     Many can remember a better day.  A day when everything went the you planned it.  A day when life was good.  The days of joy and laughter, Do you remember those days?

III.  David Longed to have the Joy of his Salvation Restored

1.     “Restore” was part of his prayer to get back what he had lost

2.     David prays for his joy to come back again

3.     What is the road back?

·        It is the road of remembering

·        It is the road of confession

·        It is the road of faith

4.     Do you long for that joy again?

5.     You can have it

Conclusion: All the believer’s wrong doing comes to a climax at the foot of the throne, being violation of God’s law. While the penalty of sin has been blotted out by the blood, the defilement of all subsequent sin remains. Confession brings sin out of its hiding place and enables the sinner to take sides with God against it.

·        Psalm 32: Another View of the Same Man

·        “Blessed is the Man whose Transgression is Forgiven”

·        Have you been forgiven?

·        Your Joy will Return as You Return to Your Lord Confessing Your Sins