Thursday, July 21, 2022

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51: 12

David asked the Lord to restore the joy of His salvation. David was not content just to be forgiven, he wanted more. He wanted his relationship with God restored. He knew what it was to have a right relationship with God and that sin had broken it.

David had missed walking with God and living for God. He missed the daily habits of prayer; worship; and regular, consistent time in His Word. He missed God’s presence.

Maybe you are where David was. You want to get back to where you once were. You want God to restore the joy you once knew because of salvation—a joy that was lost because of sin and guilt.

There was a song that Andre Crouch sang many years ago. Here are some of the lyrics:

“Take me back Take me back, dear Lord To the place Where I first received You Take me back Take me back, dear Lord Where I first believed Take me back Take me back, dear Lord To the place Where I first received You Take me back Take me back, dear Lord Where I first believed

I feel that I'm so far from You, Lord But still I hear You callin' me Those simple things that I once knew The memories are drawin' me I must confess Lord, I've been blessed But yet my soul's not satisfied Renew my faith, restore my joy Then dry my weepin' eyes”

PRAYER: Father, take me back. Take me back dear Lord to the place where I first received you. Take me back, take me back, dear Lord, where I first believed. I’ve tried so hard to make it all alone. I need your help just to make it home. In the name of Jesus, I thank you. Amen.

This devotional is taken from the sermon, “Conquering Guilt”

By Reverend Lenora Bonaparte