v 12. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Very few of us keep on a level path right through life: it’s not merely that we have ups and downs, but some days and events are simply gross. How on earth did David fall into this black hole you might ask. Well, he was human like you and perhaps you have days too when spiritual light grows dim and the joy in life simply fades away.
This psalm is just the right one to read on such an occasion. Forgiveness is one thing – restoration to the joy of life in tune with God takes us one stage further, and beyond lies a renewed heart and mind, willing to obey God.
This tackles the issue of sin in our lives at its very root. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned when they were disinclined to obey what God had said to them about eating the forbidden fruit. All sin or wrongdoing finds its roots going down into disobedience to the given will and command of God. It is only a willingness to obey that holds us back from a suicidal leap into deadly sin and estrangement from God.
When you find yourself on the edge of this sin-hole, and anything that might pull you over the edge into the blackness of joyless separation from God, then make this Psalm part of your spontaneous prayer:
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.