In the face of sin and separation from God, grace is God's refreshing stream that restores our salvation - making it existentially real to us. In our struggles with suffering, grief, and loss, only God's grace and his Holy Spirit ministering to our spirits can help us find a sustaining and willing spirit. This ongoing joy of salvation comes only when we realize and accept the forgiveness, grace, restoration, and Spirit-inspired refreshment God has given us - in other words, we get to drink from the stream of grace as the Holy Spirit wells up within us with heaven's living water to refresh us (
John 7:37-39). So we can say with confidence that God will restore to us the joy of our salvation, and he will grant us a willing spirit to sustain us!*
*
Psalm 51 is written as David's confessional response for his grievous and multiple sins in his abuse of power with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. God clearly answered David's prayers, because he did not remove the Holy Spirit from him as he did with Saul, and David returned his heart to the ways of the
Lord.
Holy and Righteous Father, I long for the outbreak of joy in your salvation as I see in the book of Acts. I pray that your Spirit leads us into another era of outreach, conversion, and celebration. I pray for wisdom to know and for eyes to see those around me who are most open to the Gospel - people with a willing spirit open to your salvation. I want to be a partner with you in your ongoing work of salvation, for I know that, as I do, I will get to experience again and again the joy of your salvation. And I will experience the Holy Spirit welling up within me as a useful vessel in your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I offer myself to you as I pray. Amen.
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