Oh Happy Day

Last night before I went to bed the Lord gave me something to write about (finally!) and it was in the form of a song. Listen to it at this link and then please come back for the rest of the devotional:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD2D6eter7M&feature=related

For some of us that brings back memories of 1969-70 when that song was one of the most popular songs in America; number four on the pop charts to be exact. Amazing that such a wonderful spiritual hymn was able to cross over into and be successful in the secular market.

Edwin Hawkins’ arrangement is from a mid-18th Century hymn written by English clergyman Phillip Doddridge.

It is based on 2 Chronicles 15:15:

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.”

It has been a long time since I rejoiced in my salvation. I need to be more like for whom I was named, King David:

    “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High…that I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation.” (Psalm 9:2,14)

I will rejoice in your salvation…notice that David’s writes that it is God who saves. Many Christians like to say that they led someone to Christ but I have bad news for you. If you actually led someone to Christ then that person’s salvation is in serious doubt because salvation is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and leading is the Holy Spirit’s job, not yours. Of course it is our job to share the good news about Jesus Christ.

I say this not be contrarian but to make sure everyone understands how salvation works. It is an act of faith on my part and I am placing my faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a heavenly work; not by anything a man or a woman does. And that work is an act of mercy on the part of God and me trusting in that work. Again I turn to David’s psalms:

    “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5)

Have you been found by Christ?

Have you trusted in God’s mercy?

If yes, when was the last time your heart rejoiced in His saving you?

Has He washed your sins away; do you remember that happy day?

Jesus will teach you how to fight and pray and He will rejoice in the things you say…why?

Because you will be singing praises to His holy name.

I hope you do that today and you do so because it is real in your life.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

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