PSALM 92:1–4 – It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”
Today’s scripture finds the Psalmist opening with words of high praise to the Lord. The reason is for the work of God that has made him glad and joyful. What is not revealed is the specific work of God prompting such worship. Fast-forward to today, right now, what work of God in our lives produces the same inner workings the Psalmist experienced–gladness and joy? The answer requires little thought. It is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. But perhaps our gladness and joy levels are low. Maybe the busyness of life; the pressure of personal demands; or neglect of meditating on the wonders of the Gospel has cooled gladness and joy in our hearts. If so, here are some “Gospel jump starters”, simple reminders, to revive Gospel-gladness and joy.
First, the Gospel makes us glad and joyful because we are forgiven all, not some, but all our sins – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7). Take time, even ask the Lord, to deepen our awareness of what Christ did through the Gospel to grant us forgiveness.
Next, Gospel-gladness and joy come from the truth of our adoption in the family of God – In love, He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will(Ephesians 1:4b-5). Think about it. We are children of God, not because we earned it, we couldn’t; not because we merited it, we don’t, but because of the Gospel. And God’s family is a forever family! Rejoice in this Gospel treasure and soon, Gospel gladness and joy will fill our hearts.
A third great blessing of the Gospel producing gladness and joy is that death is conquered, and we are heaven-bound. We have hope in this hopeless world. We may look at the last enemy, death, and say “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”(1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
The Psalmist knew gladness and joy because of the work of God’s hand. And so shall we–the work of God in the Gospel is our source of gladness and joy. May we experience both more and more!
PRAYER: “Father, may I learn to see all my joy, all my hopes, all my every need comes through the Gospel.”
QUOTE: “Meditate often on the Gospel. It is what empowers us to live above life’s many trials and troubles.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim