Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit. I. IN THE CHILD OF GOD THERE ARE ALL THE SEEDS OF DEPARTURE FROM GOD. When he rises in the morning there is need to have this perpetually brought before him — "This day, as yesterday, I possess the seeds of all departure from God; so that I have need to be held up; I have need to be kept in; I have need to be kept from presumptuous sins." What departure there may be in a look; in a word; in a tone of voice; in a thought — actual departure from God! Oh! I believe there are periods in which the Lord takes off His check, and reproves sin by sin. And then what is the effect? Why, the outside goes on, but what becomes of internal religion? There are the prayers, but where is the secret dealing with God? There is no absolute neglect of outward duties, but how little of God is there in all! II. WHEREVER THERE IS DEPARTURE FROM GOD, IN DIRECT PROPORTION AS IT PREVAILS, THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LESSEN THE BELIEVER'S JOY. The Word is not what. it once was to you; sermons are not what they once were to you; intercourse with the people of God is not what it once was to you. You have secret prayer, but it is not what it once was to you. There is a want of sweetness, there is a want of substance, there is a want of fruitfulness, there is a want of realization in your religion. Look well to it, for there must be a cause — some sin, some neglected duty, some worldly conformity. III. POWER TO RESTORE IS HERE ATTRIBUTED TO GOD HIMSELF. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.WEB: Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. |
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