Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
—Psalm 51:12
I could be happy if only . . .
If only I had more money. If only I were better looking. If only I had a better job.
I don’t need to expand the list because if there’s an “If only” in your life, you know what it is.
“If only” is a cul-de-sac that dead-ends in despair. It’s toxic and often fatal.
King David had once known the joy of salvation but made a bad trade, swapping a God-centered life for a self-centered one. He had everything the world could give but had lost what the world cannot give, the joy of salvation. His plea was wet with tears: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
“If only” you will turn to wholeheartedly to God, your other “If onlies” will wither.
“If only” are some of the saddest and
most futile words in the English language.