The Joy of our Salvation

Today is my daughter’s birthday, and as a part of our tradition we make a point to retell the story of that very special day. When she was a young child, our tradition began when she came to me on her birthday and asked, “What happened the day I was born?” I then would pick her up and recount the joys of that day. As she grew older I would add more details, and as an adult she can now tell the story herself. We both find comfort in remembering the joy of that day. I enjoy our tradition, not to hold onto that image of her as a little baby, but to step back and look at her journey into becoming the person she is today.

Joy is an important part of the Christian faith. The “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) delivered at Christ’s birth and the joy felt by the women at the tomb when delivering the news of Christ’s resurrection reveal the joy that surrounds the story of our faith. Yes there are hardships and struggles found in the life of faithful disciples, but we must be careful to remember the joy of our salvation. When was the last time you thought about the day your were baptized or confirmed? How often do you think back to that first time when you felt close to the Lord and truly loved by Him? I recently heard someone mention about how her family celebrated that act of confirmation as regularly as they celebrated birthdays.

We should remember those moments with joy, and then be renewed. We should allow the Holy Spirit to revive us out of our staid faith and remember a time when we were excited about becoming a part of the family of God. Numerous Psalms reiterate the celebration of Psalm 95:1-2. “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD. Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Sing! Shout! Worship God with everything you are and get excited! Yes, there is a time and a place for quiet contemplative worship, but too often we save our excitement for football games, cheering on the players instead of raising our hands to God, singing His praises and proclaiming His mighty works.

Take a moment today to sit in God’s lap and together remember the day of your salvation and the journey of your faith. Let Him remind you of His great love for you and allow yourself to respond to Him by growing up to become the person He created you to be.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4 NIV)