“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalms 51:10-13 NKJV) We must first note that the salvation is God"s - “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation......” Also in Psalms 3:8, “Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah” God"s salvation means His blessings upon His people.

The generic word for Salvation, is an all-inclusive word signifying FORGIVENESS, HEALING, PROSPERITY, DELIVERANCE, SAFETY, RESCUE, LIBERATION and RESTORATION. God"s salvation is total in scope for the total man: spirit, soul and body. Also, Salvation is in the Past, Present and Future - we have been saved, i.e. born again; we are being saved daily, i.e. delivered, rescued, healed, provided for, preserved, renewed in our minds, etc. and we shall be saved - Jesus said, he that endures to the end shall be saved!

Salvation came to us by God"s favour- we didn"t merit it. In the N.T. it was all about what Christ did, we only believed and received it. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can"t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT) Like the acronym, G.R.A.C.E- God"s Riches At Christ"s Expense! Jesus likened Salvation to a well of water. He said to the Samaritan woman. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (Jn.4:14 KJV). Or, “a fountain of water.” (NKJV).

One significant thing about wells or fountains is that, they can be blocked or polluted! Isaac had to re-dig the wells of water that were dug in the days of Abraham, his father; because the Philistines had stopped them after Abraham"s death. He called them by the names which his father had called them. His servants also dug new wells, but were opposed by the herdsmen of Gerar; who took the wells from them. Isaac moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Gen. 26:22). Notice that Isaac didn"t give up, but kept digging, until he got to Rehoboth! “Don"t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.”

A. SIN

David"s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah.

B. OFFENCES

WATCH OUT for Offence! Jesus said it is impossible for offence not to come;

so the issue is how we respond to them. Proverbs 18:19 says, “An off ended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.” (NLT) This is because offences are like wounds; and if they aren"t well dealt with, they fester and develop into bitterness. The Bible says we should work at living in peace with everyone, and also to

“watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Heb.12:14-15 NLT)

Offences can come as a result of hurts from relationships, life"s challenges, failures, disappointments, unmet needs, unfulfilled expectations, a feeling of injustice or unfair treatment, etc. Sometimes, we may even be off ended in God Himself; for instance, when we feel He isn"t answering our prayers! John the Baptist was off ended in Jesus, probably because he felt disappointed. He would have expected Jesus to have done something about his situation - since Jesus was such a miracle worker! The Bible says when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another? (Matt . 11:2-6)

C. STRIFE

Strife is usually caused by Envy, Competitive jealousy, Comparison-

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don"t they come from the

evil desires at war within you? You want what you don"t have, so you scheme

and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can"t get it, so

you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don"t have what

you want because you don"t ask God for it. (James 4:1-2 NLT)

When strife is at work in us, it results most of the time in anger, hatred, bitter judgments and criticism, etc. The Philistines envied Isaac, and they strove with him. Isaac named the wells the herdsmen of Gerar took from him, 'Quarrel" and 'Enmity" in Hebrew.

Envy and jealousy are deep rooted in a sense of lack of contentment, ingratitude, selfishness and pride- thinking more highly of oneself than one should! “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” (I Tim. 6:6-8) The Bible says, where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (Jas. 3:16 KJV). Whereas, love does no wrong to others! (Rom. 13:10). Love prefers others to oneself, and seeks the highest good and the best interest of others. Love esteems others better than oneself. The Bible says anyone who hates another, abides in darkness; and the life of God isn"t in him. (1 Jn. 2:9-11; 3:14-15) The implication is that hatred stifles the life and the light of God in us; it blocks the well!

Proverbs 4:23 tells us how to prevent our well from being blocked or polluted: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” When your well is blocked, it is like losing the Joy of salvation; the well is still there (like your salvation is still there), but it isn"t just flowing! God didn"t plan for that well to be stagnant; Jesus said it should 'spring up" unto eternal life. The Psalmist understood the importance of that joy, so much so that he prayed - “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.” (This also confirms the fact that the joy of salvation can be lost!) To restore means, to turn back; return, restore, bring back, retrieve, reverse. It"s usual sense is “return”; that is, to go back to the point of departure.

Why is the JOY of Salvation so vital? Why do we need that joy?

A. WE NEED JOY TO DRAW OUT OF THE WELL OF SALVATION

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the

LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation." ”

Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. (Isaiah

12:2-3 NKJV) Don"t forget that Salvation is an all-inclusive word signifying forgiveness, healing, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation, and restoration; you therefore would need joy to draw out these things! Joy in this sense is like the rope for drawing water from a well. When the Amalekites raided Ziklag, they took away with them the possessions and the families of David and his men. The people were so grieved that they spoke of stoning him, and David became distressed; but before David could hear from God, he had to first encourage himself in the Lord. With joy, David drew water from the well of salvation. The Lord answered David, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8). Note that you can hardly hear God when you are distressed; instead, you would probably hear your pains and fears! “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Pet. 4:7).

B. WE NEED JOR FOR STRENGTH

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV) The Bible tells us that when David was greatly distressed, because the people spoke of stoning him; he “strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV). How did he do that? The KJV says, “but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” You need the strength to hear from God and to pursue. The Bible says if we faint in the day of adversity, it is because our strength is small. Also, A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?” (Prov. 18:14 MSG).

C. JOY IS ONE OF THE COMPONENTS OF GOD"S KINGDOM

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17) The kingdom of God works inside out- and not the other way round! The Kingdom of God doesn"t come by external observation; Jesus likens it to a yeast that a woman puts in a dough.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal.5:22). We are meant to maintain a joyful attitude, even in trials! “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (Jas. 1:2) “....and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” (Heb.10:34)

D. WE NEED JOY IN OUR SERVICE TO GOD

“For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:18 NKJV) In what things? In righteousness, peace and joy!

God doesn"t want us to serve Him in sadness, or with complaining and murmuring. God loves a cheerful (and not a grumpy) giver. If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies.....” (Deut. 28:47-48a NLT) Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (Psalms 70:4 NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favour my righteous cause;” (Ps. 35:27)

It seems there is a connection between Joy and Soul-winning. David prayed, 'Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalms 51:12-13 NKJV) Joy is contagious; you can"t hide it. A joyous Christian is a zealous Christian; “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” (Rom.12:11). “You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pet.1:8-9 NLT).

E. YOU NEED JOY TO RECOVER ALL

Someone said, “If the devil can"t steal your joy, he can"t keep your goods!” When David chose to encourage himself in the Lord, instead of staying distressed he was able to recover all that the Amalekites had taken away. “And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.” (I Sam. 30:18-19). When Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, the Bible says,

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone"s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:23-26)

In contrast, John the Baptist never made it out of prison alive!

HOW THEN DO YOU GET YOUR JOY BACK?

I. RECOGNISE THAT THE JOY OF SALVATION IS FOUND IN GOD"S PRESENCE

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11 NKJV) And also that Joy is a fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness)...” (Gal. 5:22 AMP) Hence, the prayer of David, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:11-12).

II. BY REPENTANCE

Identify the cause of the blockage and get rid of it through repentance. Admit it to yourself: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” (Jas. 3:14) David said, “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.” Confess your sin before God as a sin; call it what it is! “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). David"s sins of adultery and murder blocked his well; and he cried out to God in repentance. He was specific in his confession, “Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of Your forgiveness.” (Psa. 51:14NLT). David understood the heart of God; he knew how the way to His heart. He said, “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psa. 51:16c-17 NLT). Compare and contrast with Saul; Saul thought God could be bribed. Samuel told him that God isn"t moved by burnt offerings and sacrifices, “Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” (1 Sam.15:22 NLT).

Repentance isn"t just saying “I am sorry” but about bringing forth the right fruits! When Jonah disobeyed God he wound up in the belly of a fish; but then he cried out to God from the fish"s belly, and God commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. The Bible says, God spoke to Jonah the second time, and “This time Jonah obeyed the LORD"s command and went to Nineveh.” (Jon. 3:3 NLT).God says He will show His salvation to whoever orders his conduct aright.” (Psalm 50:23 NKJV). According to the Wikipedia, repentance is the activity of reviewing one"s actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life. This typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offence; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible. This ties in beautifully with the words of Paul: “But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.” (2 Cor. 7:8-12 NLT)

So, to get your flow back, you must repent of the things that blocked your wells! Note, however, that genuine repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit within us; it can"t be assumed or taken for granted. “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:25-26 NKJV).

III. RECEIVEING THE WORD OF GOD

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11). Abraham considered the promise of God, and not his own body or to Sarah"s womb; “so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken.” And he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Romans 4:18-21 NKJV) Receiving what God says about you and about your situation, will make you joyful. “ be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don"t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God"s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Php. 4:4-7 NLT). “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” (Prov. 12:25). The word of God gives us hope; and hope brings joy - “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” (Rom.12:12) Someone said 'What you cry about today, you"ll shout about tomorrow!" Because you are going to receive God"s word about it. Receiving God"s Word also means acting on it.

IV. YOUR THOUGHTS

What you think about will determine if you will be joyful or not. When Jeremiah still thought about his affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall; he said his heart sank within him. But when he recalled these to his mind - that through the Lord"s mercies we are not consumed, that His compassions do not fail not, but are new every morning; and Great is His faithfulness; hope was stirred up in him! (Lam. 3:19-26). The Psalmist understood this, he said, “O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. (Psalms 42:6). Then he commanded his soul, saying, “Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (Verse 11).When David was distressed, how did he encourage himself in the Lord? It seems he must have done so by recalling God"s deliverance and help in time past. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)

V. THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

“To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:2, 3 NKJV) A thankful heart is a merry heart; and a merry heart does good like medicine!

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!” (Php. 4:4 AMP) “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4). Abraham grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God. The Bible commands us to give thanks in all things.

VI. MAKING THE RIGHT CONFESSION

What you say also determines your joy. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:19-26 NKJV).

God bless you