Memory Verse:
Psalm 85:6 (KJV) – "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
Meditation
Take a quiet moment to reflect: Have seasons of hardship, disappointment, or spiritual dryness stolen your song? The psalmist knew such times after Israel's return from exile, when hope flickered but full restoration seemed distant. Yet he turned not to circumstances but to the Lord, asking for revival that leads to rejoicing in God Himself. Meditate on this: Joy is not merely the absence of sorrow but the presence of God reviving the soul. Let this truth settle—God delights to restore what has been lost, turning mourning into dancing, tears into shouts of gladness.
Beloved in Christ, life often brings seasons where joy feels distant. Trials, losses, sins, or prolonged waiting can leave the heart heavy, the spirit faint. In such moments, we echo the ancient prayer: "O' Lord, let Thy people rejoice again!" This devotion draws from the well of Scripture, particularly Psalm 85, where God's people, having tasted partial restoration, cry out for more—for a revival that ignites rejoicing not in fleeting things but in the Lord alone.
The Bible is filled with promises of restoration. From the captives returning to Zion in Psalm 14:7—"When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad"—to the prophetic hope in Isaiah and the New Testament assurance in Christ, God is a restorer of joy. He does not leave His people in perpetual sorrow. Instead, He revives, renews, and causes rejoicing to spring forth like springs in the desert. Today, let us explore this theme deeply, allowing the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts toward fresh joy in our Savior.
The phrase "O' Lord, let Thy people rejoice again" resonates with the biblical narrative of cyclical despair and divine deliverance. In Psalm 85, the psalmist begins by thanking God for past favor: "Thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob" (v.1). Yet, despite this, the people face ongoing struggles—perhaps lingering effects of sin, oppression, or spiritual lethargy. The plea in verse 6 is raw: "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
"Revive us again" (Hebrew: chayah, meaning to make alive, preserve, quicken) implies a repeated action. God had revived them before—bringing them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, from Babylonian exile—but they needed it anew. Revival here is not emotional hype but spiritual quickening, a fresh infilling of God's life that restores vitality to the soul.
The purpose? "That thy people may rejoice in thee." Notice the object: in Thee, not in circumstances, blessings, or relief alone. True rejoicing is Godward. As Psalm 43:4 declares, "Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy." When God revives, joy returns because He Himself becomes the source.
This theme echoes throughout Scripture. In Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." The night of discipline or trial gives way to morning joy. Joel 2:25 promises restoration after locust devastation: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." Jesus Himself assures in John 16:22, "Ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
In the New Testament, Paul commands, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Even from prison, Paul rejoiced because his joy was anchored in Christ, not freedom or comfort. When sin dims joy—as with David in Psalm 51:12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation"—repentance opens the door to renewal.
Restoration of joy often follows seasons of sowing in tears (Psalm 126:5-6): "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God uses trials to deepen roots, producing enduring joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 paints a beautiful picture: "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Not only do we rejoice in God, but He rejoices over us! This mutual joy is the pinnacle of restoration.
In Christ, joy is secured eternally. Romans 15:13 prays, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Spirit is the agent of revival, producing fruit like joy (Galatians 5:22).
Thus, "O' Lord, let Thy people rejoice again" is a prayer for personal and corporate revival—individual hearts renewed, churches awakened, nations touched by gospel hope. It acknowledges past mercies while hungering for present and future outpourings.
Today's Advice
1. Seek God in honest prayer. Like the psalmist, cry out specifically for revival. Confess anything quenching joy—sin, unbelief, bitterness—and ask God to revive you.
2. Anchor joy in Christ alone. Shift focus from circumstances to the unchanging Savior. Daily meditate on His finished work—forgiveness, adoption, eternal life.
3. Repent and return. If sin has stolen joy, follow David's path: confess, receive cleansing, and plead for restored joy (Psalm 51).
4. Sow in tears if needed. Persist in faithfulness even amid sorrow. God promises harvest of joy.
5. Gather with believers. Corporate worship and fellowship often spark revival. Encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
6. Feast on Scripture. Let God's Word dwell richly, renewing the mind and igniting joy.
7. Serve others. Joy multiplies when shared. Minister to the hurting; in giving, you receive.
Today's Food for Thought
- What has dimmed your joy lately? Is it circumstantial, or deeper spiritual drift?
- How might God be using current trials to prepare greater rejoicing?
- If joy is found "in Thee," how can you cultivate deeper intimacy with God today?
- Imagine your life revived—heart light, praise constant, testimony vibrant. What step will you take toward that vision?
At the core of restored joy is the gospel. We were captive to sin, separated from God, our hearts barren of true joy. But God, rich in mercy, sent His Son Jesus Christ. He lived perfectly, died on the cross bearing our sins, and rose victorious, conquering death. Through faith in Him, we are forgiven, reconciled, and filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the ultimate revival—dead sinners made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). Joy springs from knowing we are loved, redeemed, and secure forever. No trial can steal this joy because it is rooted in Christ's unchanging victory. If you've never experienced this, turn to Jesus today—repent, believe, and receive the joy no one can take away.
Today's Word Quotes
- "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." – Philippians 4:4
- "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." – Psalm 51:12
- "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." – Psalm 30:11
- "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God." – Isaiah 61:10
- "The joy of the LORD is your strength." – Nehemiah 8:10
Prayer
O' Lord, our merciful Father, we come before Thee humbly. Revive us again, we pray! Breathe fresh life into our weary souls, restore the joy of Thy salvation, and let Thy people rejoice in Thee once more. Turn our mourning into dancing, our tears into shouts of praise. May our hearts overflow with joy in Christ Jesus, our Savior. Forgive where we have wandered, strengthen where we are weak, and fill us anew with Thy Spirit. Let rejoicing rise in our homes, churches, and nation. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
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