Joy Restored

Read Psalm 51:8-12

What is your deepest longing or source of joy this Advent season? I am guessing that if I asked this question to a range of people, the answers would vary from “XYZ popular toy” to “world peace” and probably everything in between. But what if all our desires shared a common genesis, a longing for God and the joy only He can give?

I think we can all relate to David’s longing in today’s Scripture. He implores of God, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Clearly, David feels overwhelmed by his own sinfulness and desperately cries out to God. David is seeking, even longing for, the type of joy that only God can provide.

Whether you hold as your perceived deepest desire something material or relational, ultimately only God can satisfy and provide the peace and joy to fulfill our needs. The awe-inspiring face is that God came to earth to bridge the gap between our desperate longings and joy. May we each seek God as passionately as David, and feel the joy of God’s salvation in its immensity and in small, every day ways, as well.

QUESTIONS:

1. In what way do you need to feel the joy of God's salvation today?

2. How can you share the joy of Christ's salvation by offering grace to someone in your life who desperately needs it?

PRAYER:

Jesus, give each of us a willing spirit today to seek You, Your joy and share Your joy with others. Amen!

Jessica Efird