Restore the Joy of Salvation

There is something called the joy of salvation. David prayed in Psalm 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” That initial joy is the bold, childlike faith we experience when we first give our lives to Christ.

When we first come to Jesus, life begins to shift. Breakthroughs happen, prayers are answered, and God’s hand is visible in our daily lives. The first week, the first month, even the first year, the joy of salvation empowers us to believe for the impossible.

However, over time, as we grow in knowledge and doctrine, we can unintentionally lose that joy. Peter’s story in Matthew 14:28-30 illustrates this perfectly. Jesus called Peter to walk on water. At first, Peter stepped out in faith—representing the joy of salvation. But when he focused on the waves instead of Jesus, he began to sink. Many times, doctrines, teachings, and fear act like the waves, distracting us and stealing our joy.

The joy of salvation is that childlike faith that allows us to trust God completely, without fear or doubt. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When we lose that faith, we lose the authority and boldness that comes with it.

I’ve seen the power of restored joy in lives:

• Healing: Dorothy shared a testimony of being healed from a tumor in her head—something doctors could not explain.

• Deliverance: I saw a man with great authority over demonic systems who lost his joy through depression and frustration. When his joy was restored, the oppression that harassed him and his family vanished.

The joy of salvation is not just an emotion; it’s a spiritual weapon. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” When joy is restored, fear and oppression flee.

Today, as we pray at 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., let us declare:
“Lord, restore the joy of salvation in my life!”

As we share our testimonies, others will be encouraged. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, rejecting doubts, fears, and demonic doctrines. The joy we first experienced in Christ empowers us to walk in bold faith, to believe for the impossible, and to reclaim our authority in Christ.

Restore the joy of salvation. Reclaim your first love. Walk boldly in faith.