“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
Do you remember the wonder of discovering Jesus for the very first time? Every word of the Lord sparkled, every prayer came alive, and we felt delight simply by being in His presence. As a result, we approached Him and worshiped with wide-eyed curiosity, amazed at all that He revealed to us.
Recently, while watching my grandson, God reminded me of that very wonder. He was playing with a simple doorstop. At first, he giggled delightedly, twanging it back and forth. Eventually, my daughter removed the spring. But this morning, I looked over and saw him playing with the button inside the post. I had to pause and marvel: Everything to a one-year-old is fascinating and exciting.
Isn’t that how it felt when we first became Christians? Every verse brought joy. Every church service revealed new wisdom. We spent countless hours delighting in the Lord and His presence.
But over time, that delight can fade. Routine replaces awe. Gratitude grows dim, and our hearts feel weary.
However, friend, the good news is that God’s joy can be restored.
King David reminds us that we can ask God to restore our joy: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12, NIV).
Here are some other ways we can rekindle the joy of our salvation and delight in the Lord once more:
1. Return to His Word with fresh eyes.
We can ask the Holy Spirit to make Scripture alive again, as though you were reading it for the very first time. When we do, He can bring new light and meaning to the Word if we only delight in it. “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (Psalm 1:2, NLT).
2. Practice gratitude daily.
We can write down blessings, big and small, and thank God for them. When we spend just a few moments daily reflecting on our blessings, our gratitude can soften our hearts and help us see His goodness. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV).
3. Worship beyond routine.
Sing a new song, walk in His creation, or sit quietly in His presence. When we worship, our hearts open to His joy and we take delight in His faithfulness. “Sing to the Lord with grateful praise” (Psalm 147:7, NIV).
Dear one, the delight we once knew isn’t lost. It’s waiting to be renewed. Like a child discovering beauty for the first time, we can learn to see God with fresh eyes again. Each verse we read awakens a song of joy in our hearts. Likewise, each blessing we notice draws us into the warmth of His embrace. Finally, as we worship, every moment shines with the radiance of His goodness and faithfulness.
God’s invitation hasn’t changed. He calls us to come back, to embrace His presence, and to let wonder and gratitude fill our hearts once more. So today, let’s delight in the Lord with childlike wonder. The joy of our salvation is still ours, steadfast, unshakable, and waiting to be restored. Therefore, join me in saying, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11, ESV).
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation and the joy that comes with it. Forgive me for the times I have allowed routine or weariness to dull my wonder. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Help me return to Your Word with fresh eyes, to live in gratitude, to worship freely, and to delight in You with all my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read More about the Joy of Your Salvation
The Difference Between Joy and Happiness?
10 Bible Verses to Help Us Remember to Choose Joy Everyday
