The Good News of God’s Salvation
by Jon Walker
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
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The Shakespearian King James Bible renders Psalm 51:12 as, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Over the years, I’ve misread and misheard this verse, thinking it read, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.”
The difference between “my” and “thy” may seem like simple semantics, but the chasm between the two is so vast that there is only one bridge capable of spanning the gap: the arms of Jesus spread wide on the cross.
“My” salvation means I do it myself. I earn my salvation. I have a right to my salvation. It is mine, and it’s all about me.
“Thy” salvation means we have no right to it, and we can’t earn it. It is a gift from God; his to bestow based on his love, his promise, his sacrifice and his grace.
His salvation works within you, injecting you with Jesus-life, transforming you into a Jesus-one. This is the GOOD NEWS that brings great joy (Luke 2:10).
Otherwise, the GOOD NEWS isn’t so good if it’s based on “my” instead of “thy.” If our salvation is based on what we do, then we’ll always wonder if we’ve done enough.
But if our salvation is based on the grace of God, then we can always know enough has been done.
Listen to Jesus on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30 NIV).
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This article is excerpted from the book, “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” Copyrighted 2009 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
