stephen R Harrison

JOY 365: Day 19

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. – Psalm 51:12

I spent time today with a friend who is in a depressed spot in life. He’s had some trouble that has seemed to rob him of his joy and contentment. Robbed because I have witnessed him having many times of joy and contentment throughout his walk with Christ. I shared with him David’s prayer in Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” We all go through dry times in our Christian walk. Sometimes hurt, grief, and even sin can rob us of our joy. Notice what David didn’t say. He wasn’t robbed of his salvation. Our salvation is secured in Christ. We can be drained of our joy for many reasons, but nothing can steal our salvation. 

We ended up talking through Romans 8:35-39. It lists many adversaries that try to strip us of our assurance and joy in our salvation. Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, demons, present, future, powers, height, depth, anything in creation – nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39). As we prayed, I reminded him of the ability of God to restore the joy we once had. Joy is not determined by circumstances but by Christ. We prayed through this and he seemed much better afterward. On way I maintain and increase in the joy of my salvation is by staying constant in God’s Word and prayer. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). If we disconnect ourselves from prayer and Scripture, we tend to focus on everything that is wrong. We must stay focused on Jesus and remember His promises!

How can you cooperate with God to restore your joy?