Joy On The Journey In Pursuit of God

Have you ever wondered why some Christians lose their joy on the journey in pursuit of God? Or why God just doesn’t interest them any more? Or why they seem to be more distant from church fellowship, Bible study or evangelism? They seem to lack enthusiasm about God and would rather talk about something else.

Maybe you are that Christian.

In many cases bondage to a particular sin or sins - to our sinful desires that we’ve not mortified or are not actively mortifying - is the reason why our joy on the journey in pursuit of God has withered thus quenching the desire from within us that longs for God ultimately laying waste to our spiritual lives leaving us in apathy and slothfulness.

Other times media is the culprit. You may experience seasons in your life where you put aside study and prayer in exchange for entertainment. You get into a habit of choosing daily to feed your flesh rather than your spirit ultimately adding ammunition to the side of ourselves, the old man as opposed to the new man, that is at war with our spirit.

Both of these will cause us to lose focus on what is most important, that is, to honor and glorify the all-knowing, all-gracious, all-satisfying God who sent His Son to die that you and I might have life and live it to further His kingdom and ultimately bring Him glory.

David after having been awakened to his sin against God said, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” (Psalm 51:12-13)

We can conclude a few things with these two verses. The first thing to note is that David had lost his joy as a result of sin. He proclaimed “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” that is to say “give it back for I have lost it.” The word “restore” used in this passage is the Hebrew word shuwb which literally means to “return to.” David was in essence praying “return, give back, restore to me the joy of your salvation for You whom I have sinned against are the only one who can do so!”

It is then only after the joy of God’s salvation is restored that David says he will teach transgressors God’s ways ultimately reaping a harvest of new believers. When your joy is lost as a result of giving into sinful, flesh-satisfying desires, all enthusiasm for seeking out and witnessing to humanity becomes a shallow afterthought. We become so consumed with ourselves, our sin or the things around us, that we begin build walls of shame which hinder us from pursuing God and His kingdom.

If you have no joy on the journey in pursuit of God, examine yourself. Don’t go another day without seeking out the reason for this lost joy and ask God to restore to you joy, peace and soundness of mind and greater fervor for His desires, for His kingdom and ultimately for His glory.

Happy Wednesday!

Sky