"Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation."
- Psalm 51:12
 
David was a poetic genius. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he had written the immoral Twenty-Third Psalm. He was a hero of many victorious battles. But he fell deeply into sin. There is now in him a desolate sense of loss as he pleads: "Give me back the joy of Thy salvation that once was mine."
 
Many professing Christians of today have lost their sense of wonder at the miracle of God's love, the story of our redemption through Christ. They recall days of childhood when Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seemed so very near. In their memory lingers the day of confirmation when with joyful faith they dedicated themselves to . . .

"Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation."
- Psalm 51:12
 
David was a poetic genius. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he had written the immoral Twenty-Third Psalm. He was a hero of many victorious battles. But he fell deeply into sin. There is now in him a desolate sense of loss as he pleads: "Give me back the joy of Thy salvation that once was mine."
 
Many professing Christians of today have lost their sense of wonder at the miracle of God's love, the story of our redemption through Christ. They recall days of childhood when Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seemed so very near. In their memory lingers the day of confirmation when with joyful faith they dedicated themselves to Him for life. But somewhere in the years that followed they lost that joy. They now go to church as a matter of duty. They experience no thrill at the message of God's love.
 
Tomorrow is Sunday. God has great things in store for us. Let us pray: "Open our eyes to our sinfulness, our complete helplessness. Open our eyes to the eternal value of Thy salvation.
 
Christian friends,  Have you ended up by the way-side spiritually? Turn now to the LORD. Place yourself in His tender hands. Confess you sin, repent, and ask His forgiveness. He is waiting to restore you to Himself and make you a productive Christian.
 
Our sinfulness can sap our joy
And make us feel far from the LORD;
Confession and repentance, though,
Provide the way to be restored.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - God specializes in restoration.