Gifts From God: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Gifts From the Spirit: Joy

“The thrill is gone; the thrill is gone away.” Blues singer B. B. King and his beloved guitar “Lucille” were singing about a girlfriend. But there are a great many people who feel that the thrill is gone in their home and in their spiritual life with God. How are you doing today? Is there more ill than thrill in your heart? More sad than glad?

King David wrote, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Can you see how this takes all the pressure off? You don’t have to generate your own joy. You don’t have to squeeze happy thoughts from an unwilling brain. Do you get it? Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit. When we let the Spirit talk to us through the Word, he can go to work and change our insides, our thoughts, and our feelings.

The Spirit communicates the message of Christ and his victory over all our worst enemies. Through your baptism the Spirit has taken up residence inside you with all the power of the almighty God. He can help you focus on your treasures instead of the garbage in your life. He can transform your depression into optimism. He can change your sadness into joy. When the Spirit is in control, the thrill is back, baby.