“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
{Psalm 51:10-12, ESV}
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The Restorer of Joy . . .
David wrote Psalm 51 when he was in a pit of despair. His choices had hurt so many people. And the only way out of the mess he’d created was to ask God to create a clean heart within him.
It’s the same with us too. No matter the mess we may find ourselves in, we can always come to God and ask Him to create a clean heart within us. God is always faithful to forgive us when we come to Him and confess our sin. He cleanses us and makes us whole.
He is the God of second chances.
Sometimes, though, we may know in our heads that we’ve been forgiven, but we still struggle to find joy again. The pain of our past lingers. And joy seems more like a mirage — forever beyond our reach.
This is why it’s so important to pray this prayer all the way through. We pray for God to create in us a clean heart. We ask Him to renew a right spirit within us. And we prayerfully ask to remain in His presence, with the Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us.
But there’s more.
Once we’ve asked for forgiveness and sought restoration and changed our ways, it’s okay to ask God to restore our joy too.
He is the Great Restorer of joy.
Is there an area of your life where joy seems impossible?
Let’s come together in prayer and thank Him for His abundant grace and mercy. And let’s echo the words of David: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.
I am really enjoying these Sunday devotions by Denise!! Like I sometimes need to re-boot my laptop, I also need to re-boot or have the joy of my salvation restored by the great Restorer. I like how this scripture doesn’t put the burden on us – that we have to restore our own joy. Instead, it says that if we ask, God will restore unto us the joy of our salvation. Sometimes asking for restoration of joy is a daily request. Sometimes it’s hour by hour or minute by minute. When I find the stresses and problems of life overwhelming me, and this happens often, I find myself asking God to hit the “restore” button. Every time I come to Him, I am reminded that I need Him…I mean truly NEED Him…and that is a good place to be. Great inspiration this morning…praying for joy for all my fellow/sister readers 🙂
Blessings and joy,
Bev
Hi Bev, loved your reply. “I like how this scripture doesn’t put the burden on us – that we have to restore our own joy. Instead, it says that if we ask, God will restore unto us the joy of our salvation. Sometimes asking for restoration of joy is a daily request…” He is the Restorer of my joy and for that I am so very grateful. A reminder to look up to the God who knows me and my heart so intimately. Thank you for your beautiful reply. xox
((Hugs))
Thank-you Bev,
I pray the same for you along with the other’s.
Have a blessed day
Penny
Thank you, Bev. I enjoy reading your comments each week, and I especially cherish the way you love and nurture others through your encouraging words and heartfelt prayers in the comments. You are a gift.
I have just received my divorce certificate after 6 years of the deepest, darkest, most painful valley. Of all the things I have lost – physical and emotional – there has been very little restoration. Joy, self-confidence and hope that restoration will come are in shirt supply.
I will be praying for joy to be restored and to be upheld. I needed this devotion today.
Lyn,
Prayers for you right now! May God come and heal you mind, body and soul! Prayers for peace, contentment and joy to rule in your heart today! Know that God is close to the brokenhearted!!
(((((Hugs)))))
Hi Lyn,
I have walked your path. Know that there is hope and that God is beside you and loving you in this place. Stay close to God and He will bring you great love and healing. Remember that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. God has helped me write a book called ” After the Broken Heart: Finding the Love of Christ” . It is available on Amazon. My heart is that it will bring hope to those who have gone through divorce and to find the most perfect love: The love of Christ Jesus. Know that I will be praying for you to find your identity in Christ and that you will find this one perfect Love.
Lyn,
I too have walked that deep, dark, painful valley that can rob you of all self esteem and joy. God, in His great grace and mercy has been restoring me and I see the work of His hand. I am lifting you up, right now, before the Lord. May you know how precious you are to Him and that He truly delights in you!! You are “fearfully and wonderfully made”…praying that you will be able to claim the truth of this promise. Praying that the Lord would (and He will) restore the joy of your salvation unto you and for patience on your part as He brings beauty from the ashes. You are loved…
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Bev
Lyn,
I pray that you will be on your way to finding joy and that your heart will be mended.
Penny
Penny, your prayer and willingness to support me has made a difference in my day. Thank you so much for showing God’s love to me today!! ((((hug))))
Thank you so much Beth, Eda and Bev! I am feeling so blessed to be loved and prayed for by women who don’t know me but are part of this community. I will check out that book Eda! Please know that God used you today to bring joy and show God’s love to me when I really needed it. Hugs to you all!!
I thank God daily for His abundant grace and mercy given to me!! I need restoration of joy in my life! Dealing with aging parents and work stresses is taking its toll on me! I need a huge replenishment/re-boot of His Joy of my salvation thrown into my soul!
Blessings 🙂 Have a great Sunday!!
Beth,
So many times you have prayed for me…I am now praying for you! Asking God to give you patience, strength, and perseverance as you deal with your aging parents and the stresses at work. Asking God to give you quiet time with Him in order to restore and replenish your soul. (You need that right now). Asking Him to bubble up the joy that lies beneath all the stress and weariness. Praying all that and more for you right now.
Love you,
Bev xx
Beth,
One of the most troubling times can be having our loved ones diminish. I pray that you will have joy restored during these troubled times.
Blessings to you,
Penny
I am deeply grateful for the mercy and grace I have received.
And yes please, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
Thank-you for posting……
I am just learning about God I desire a clean heart & joy in my life. I pray God can meet me where I am. Thank you for sharing this
Ann Marie – God will undoubtedly meet you where you are. You are a holy princess and I pray that you will be aware of how much God loves you. Exactly as you are.
God my Father, I thank You for Your abundant grace and mercy in my life. Lord I echo the words of David: please restore to me, the joy of Your salvation in my relationship with Mark. I thank You, in Jesus Name. Amen
RENEW FATHER IN YOUR JOY FOR THE WORLD TRY AND TAKE IT FROM ME BUT AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU TO GIVE MY SPIRIT WHAT IT NEEDS THE WORLD CAN NOT STEAL IT.
Amen and Amen.
Amen! I needed this prayer tonight! Its funny how the Lord reminds us, He is wirh us!