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I still prefer to do my reading and study with paper books. Real books? However, sometimes working on the Greek or Hebrew text it is just easier to click the mouse and go instantly to Bible research tools online.

Like everything else on the internet, when you go to a site, somehow, they identify you as someone they want returning or someone to whom they can sell something. Okay. I really don’t mind. I can always shut off the computer and go back to my beloved books. They always seem to welcome me back to their pages. (On the other hand, the thought that I can be tracked on my phone through GPS is creepy.)

So it is that I have visited many Christian websites and many websites with excellent Bible tools. So you can guess what happens. Scripture verses pop up from them in my email. I certainly won’t complain about that. As if it is possible to get too much Bible!

Today the verse was Psalm 51:12 and as happens often, it hit me right between the eyes. Here it is: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” Is that a good verse for living through a pandemic or what? Here are some other versions:

"Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." (Good News Translation)

"Give thou to me the gladness of thine health; and confirm thou me with the principal spirit. (Give thou to me the gladness of thy salvation, or of thy deliverance; and give thou to me a spirit willing to obey thee.)” (Wycliffe Bible)

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (New International Version)

“Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Revised Standard Version)
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (King James Version)

This is a perfect prayer for these days. Put that joy in us, Lord. Split off some of your health and give it to us. Make me willing to serve you. “Give thou to me a spirit willing to obey thee.”

Wow. Few words. Powerful prayer. Wholesome desire.