Shall

Psalm 51:12-13
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

Our understanding of our status with God is directly related to our effectiveness as ministers of Christ to a lost world. It isn’t until we realize that we have a right standing with God, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that our ministry to others will produce successful returns.

Sometimes I think that Psalms would have been more appropriately titled “The Life and Times of David, a real screw-up!” But through his mistakes and constant conversations with God, we are able to learn how a right understanding in a relationship can both grow that relationship and produce positive results in the lives of others.

David made a ton of mistakes in his lifetime, but was sure of one thing: God loved Him and was continually forgiving and restoring him. Even though David lived during the time of the Law, he was a child of grace (Acts 7:45-46). Knowing that he [David] found favor in God’s sight enabled him to continue to prosper and minister to generations to come through Psalms and his testimony.

This scripture is just another example of David’s understanding of how he stood before God. He starts out by asking God to restore him to the joy of salvation. When is the last time we did this: asked God to restore us to that feeling of initial salvation? Remembering, and more importantly knowing, you are saved is crucial to moving forward in your life. David goes on to say, “hold me up, God, with Your generous spirit.” This is another critical point in his understanding: God is the one who lifts us up; it is His spirit that gives strength and joy. More than that, David acknowledges that God is generous with His giving, with His joy, and with His salvation!

After making this bold request that God first restore his joy and second hold him up in that joy, David then makes an interesting statement. It’s almost as though he has an epiphany in the middle of his prayer. After realizing that God will restore him and God will hold him up, David then turns his attention to the lost! He proclaims to God that he will teach the sinners the ways of God and they shall be converted. David isn’t concerned with a maybe here; he goes with shall!

What of God’s ways is David planning to teach? I can only assume by the scripture that David is planning on teaching sinners that God continually restores and saves. I imagine that David intended to proclaim how it is God’s generous Spirit, His nature, to forgive and to redeem. I think David planned to tell the people how incredibly loving and understanding and helpful and merciful and kind God was. I don’t think that David planned on expounding on the Ten Commandments or the 613 ceremonial laws of the time!

We who have found redemption in Calvary’s cross are the Davids of our day. We need to remind ourselves, daily (minute by minute in some cases), of our continual restoration and the joy that we have as a result of the salvation found in Jesus Christ. When we are sure of that simple truth, as David was, we can teach others the ways of God. We can teach them about Jesus, His life, His death, His resurrection, His promise, and His salvation. When we do that, teach Jesus, they shall be converted.