A Magnolia's Heart Beats

IOWT - The Joy of Salvation

Today's In "Other" Words Tuesdays is hosted by Michelle at Because I Love You - A Life Lived Out Before the Lord. She has given us a great quote to ponder and write on.

“Is it possible we could experience the joy of our salvation if we mourned [over our sin] as if someone had died? We cannot experience joy without mourning.” - by Pastor Robert Morris, from Sermon: “Those who mourn are happy”

The very word salvation implies that we are saved from something. It's a very important word in the Bible. It is used 120 times in the NIV Bible, 158 times in the KJV.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." ~ Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

The Hebrew word for salvation used here is yĕshuw`ah and means:

1) salvation, deliverance
a) welfare, prosperity
b) deliverance
c) salvation (by God)
d) victory

In the Old Testament, the Psalmist rejoiced in the deliverance, welfare, and victory the Lord had been so loving to give him. God led the Psalmist, and many more to be sure, to victory and even righteousness obtained through faith, as we learn in Hebrews 11.

The Psalmist mourned greatly over the sin that was before him. Regarding his sinful ways he said:

"I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning." ~ Psalm 38:6 (NIV)

The Hebrew word for mourning is qadar. This verb means:

1) to mourn, be dark
a) (Qal) to be dark
b) (Hiphil)
1) to darken
2) to cause to mourn
c) (Hithpael) to grow dark

It is in this mourning that he found joy in the salvation that came from the Lord, I believe. He knew the Lord provided salvation to all who call on His Holy Name.

In the New Testament, we learn of another salvation - the salvation that comes through confession of sin and belief in Jesus Christ our Lord. Surely we are to feel sorrow and mourn over our sins, but in a Godly way, not a worldly way.

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

How can we rejoice when we have not mourned? How can we be made perfect when we were not imperfect to begin with? We cannot. In the Sermon on the Mount Christ said:

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." ~ Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

The Greek word for comforted is parakaleō. It means:

1) to call to one's side, call for, summon
2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
a) to admonish, exhort
b) to beg, entreat, beseech
1) to strive to appease by entreaty
c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
1) to receive consolation, be comforted
d) to encourage, strengthen
e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging
f) to instruct, teach

Christ has comforted us in our sin. We, who were once dead in our trespasses, are made alive in Christ.

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." ~ Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV)

We can rejoice in the salvation that comes from the grace of our Lord and know that He remembers our sins no more.

How can we rejoice in the salvation for the sin we once mourned for? We have comfort from God in this promise.

"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." ~ Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

We have peace and joy that comes from knowing we have been reconciled to Christ. In mourning our past sins we find the how deep God's grace and mercy for us are, but we need not keep mourning. We have been reconciled, redeemed, renewed.

"Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." ~ Romans 5:11 (NIV)

Today is the day to rejoice in the Lord's salvation, my friend! How can we not? Our debt for our sin was paid by our Savior and we may be sure that He wants us to rejoice.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" ~ Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

The Greek word for rejoice is chairō and means:

1) to rejoice, be glad
2) to rejoice exceedingly
3) to be well, thrive
4) in salutations, hail!
5) at the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute

How can we truly rejoice in our salvation?

R - Remember that Christ has set us free and the rewards that come with it. "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." ~ Romans 6:22 (NIV)

E - Exalt the Name that is above all Names. "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV)

J - Joyfully tell others of the salvation of the Lord. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." ~ Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)

O - Openly praise Him for the blessing of salvation. "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." ~ Exodus 15:2 (NIV)

I - Intentionally keep an attitude of joy and praise for your redemption. "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." ~ Psalm 68:3 (NIV)

C - Consistently find joy in reading His Word. "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." ~ Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)

E - Erect a guard around your heart, keeping out the bad things. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

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