RESTORE UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 31

Psalm 51:12 

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; 

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

The psalmist had sustained a loss.
 
Sin was the cause of it.
 
He seeks a restoration.
 
Salvation is not loseable—the joy of salvation is.
 
The joy of salvation flows from the gospel, which is good news and glad tidings; when it is received by faith, it fills us with joy and peace.
 
It is intended to impart an immediate assurance of eternal life to every sinner that believes it: and when it is received as coming directly from God, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, it does so.
 
When we realize our interest in Jesus, feel the burden of our guilt removed, and read our title to all the promises, we are filled with joy.
 
This had been realized, but it was lost.
 
There may be a sense of want, clear views of the gospel, but no appropriating faith, and then there is no hoy. But what we cannot take, we may ask for; what we cannot supply ourselves, we may plead with God to impart.
 
This prayer for a restoration of joy shows our weakness, we cannot produce it; it proves our folly, in that we sinned it away; it exhibits our dependence upon God, who alone can make us happy; and it warns us against backsliding from the Lord.

 

Those joys, my God, which once I knew,

Those saving joys restore:

Thy Spirit’s free! His grace renew,

Nor let me wander more.

 
James Smith