Restore to Me the Joy of Your Salvation

Meditate on joy.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit--with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. Psalm 51:1-19

The ruins of the City of David.
Jerusalem, Israel

David was a man after God’s own heart, but even he sinned. He wrote this psalm after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and was confronted by the prophet Nathan. He recognized the need to have his sin forgiven. We all need that. David also identified that God would not reject a broken and repentant heart. God hasn’t changed. He is still in the forgiving business—for those who are repentant. But time may be short…don’t wait to get things right with the Lord God. How is your relationship with God today? You can move towards God…or away from Him. The choice is yours.

Prayer ~ Lord God, forgive me—don’t reject me. I am willingly obeying You. Thank You for restoring to me the joy of Your salvation.

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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