Psalm 51:8 Joy of Salvation

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Down in my heart

Down in my heart

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

That’s a song that we teach children in the church. Those children who understand the gospel are so happy to sing about the Jesus who has saved them. They understand that Jesus is filled with joy, and laughter, and fun. As they grow older, they learn more about the joy of Christ. He created this whole world, not because He had to, but because He wanted to—for the sheer joy of it all. He developed light and sound and color and smell so that we may experience part of that joy.

Children understand this. When it’s bright and sunny, they run in the meadow, smell the flowers, and chase the butterflies that Jesus has made. When it rains, they put on their rainboots and go jump in puddles that Jesus made. Either way, their faces light up with happiness and joy. They rejoice in all that God has made.

But, somewhere along the line, these children grow up. As they grow, they learn hard lessons about the wickedness of men and the works of the devil; they are strongly influenced by the distractions of this world, and their peers tell them that real fun is found in doing all those things that God has told them not to do! The world tells them to disobey their parents, lie, cheat, steal, get drunk, and sleep around. They are taught to pursue money, fame, success, popularity, and self-worth. They get caught up in the rat race that the evil one has designed to keep us busy. As long as we are busy, and focused on these worldly things, then we won’t have time to think about God.

Slowly, but surely, the joy that the little child had in Christ begins to fade. She still knows what God has done for her, so she feels obligated to serve Him. She still goes to church, reads her Bible, prays, and volunteers, but she has lost her joy. She begins to serve Christ more out of obligation than out of joy. Eventually, she becomes like so many other adults in church, whose faces are drawn into stern frowns which look like they have never smiled before, as they stand for a time of worship.

The joy is gone.

Please read Psalm 51:8.

It is far too easy for us to get caught up in the same circumstances as that precious child. We know what God has done for us, but the pressures of this world are vying for our attention, and urging us to believe that we cannot be happy unless we have more, do more, be more. We are left discontent, and robbed of joy.

Fortunately, Jesus speaks to us, even in our discontentment. With David, we can call out to our Savior, “Let me hear joy!” God, let me hear your joyful voice again! Let me run in the meadow and not care where I'm going; let me jump in the rain puddle without caring about the laundry later; let me sing with all my heart during the worship, knowing that You are my only audience. God, You have brought me to a place where I am broken over my sin. I see just how wretched I am. But I also see just how beautiful You are! You have saved me! Now may my once broken body rejoice in your salvation!

Pray something like this prayer, and listen for God to answer. He loves His children, no matter how old we are. He wants to give us every good and precious gift. Perhaps the most precious of His gifts is joy. This joy is unshakable. No matter what our circumstances, our joy in Christ remains. Praise God for the gift of joy!