I remember this phrase – restore to me, the joy of my salvation. Perhaps extremely naive, I always wondered where they ‘lost’ or ‘misplaced’ or had it taken from them. ‘Increase’ the joy seems a logical extension, but restore? Mincing words? No, I don’t think so – I believe this is one of those ‘mindset’ issues. Granted this scripture is from the Old Testament – “The Joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10), but the phrase is still used in Christian-ese.
The other issue is – WHO does the restoring. Since this phrase seems to be addressed to (?) outside of oneself, the obvious selection of restorer is the Lord. There are other scriptures that show people turning to the Lord and seeking Him to restore whatever it is they think they need/want. If this is the proper act then my question is… what is it we need to do in this process? I find it difficult to believe that we can simply sit down and expect the Lord to drop whatever it is we are seeking into our laps. Actually, my question has far reaching implications and interpretation in the issue of our participation – what is it that we are should or are required to be or do?
Can you remember back to the time you recognized your need for the Lord and chose to accept Him as your Lord? Do you remember how you felt once you made your proclamation and what you wanted to do as a result of being saved? Do you still feel this way? Are you still ‘on fire’ for the Lord and the things of the Lord? If so, then why is it you need to have this restored? Is it a mere speed bump in your Christian life? More serious?
If you have a deep seated need for restoration, do you know how you ‘lost’ your fire for the things of the Lord? Did the cares of the world infiltrate and rob you? If you don’t then you could ‘lose’ your joy again. The other question is… do you know how you will know when it is restored? Again, if you don’t then you could miss what you are seeking. As a suggestion, I think you need to accept the reality that you are intimately involved in your restoration.
Obviously, the Lord is the source of the joy – 1Peter 1:8-9, Proverbs 10:28, Romans 15:13 are only a few of the scriptures that relate to what we receive when we act on and live in joy. It is ours. But we need to be more sensitive to attacks on our joy and act in joy. Remember Nehemiah – The joy of the Lord is our strength! So… once you possess the joy… what do you plan on ‘doing’ with it? May I suggest that you let it show in your words and actions.
