INTRODUCTION

It may seem odd to think that there is great strength in joy. Yet, this truth was something the saints of God earnestly needed to hear since they were filled with sorrow from hearing the pronouncements of God for their wickedness. They had failed the Lord in so many areas and stood guilty before a righteous and holy God. Being filled with sorrow was not wicked, but rather refreshing since it showed that their hearts were tender toward the words of God. The right kind of sorrow does bring benefits. For instance, God uses this right type of sorrow to lead men to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-11 [9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. [11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
See All...). Yet, it is in the joy of the LORD that saints specifically find strength. Among the people of God, sorrow had done its work, now it was time to turn the sorrow to joy and find the strength to do what was right.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): David wanted to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. Because he did it the wrong way, he had sorrow (2 Samuel 6:1-11 [1] Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. [2] And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. [3] And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. [4] And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. [5] And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. [6] And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. [7] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. [8] And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. [9] And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? [10] So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. [11] And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
  See All...). Sorrow turned to joy when David discovered the correct way (1 Chronicles 15:2Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
  See All..., 25-28). Consider another example: Jeremiah 13:19The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
  See All..., 25; Psalm 137:1-4 [1] By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. [2] We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. [3] For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. [4] How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
  See All...; Psalm 126:1-3 [1] When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. [3] The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
  See All....
• (For everyone): Are you experiencing the joy of the LORD? In what ways is that joy the source of your strength?
• Why did the people in Nehemiah’s day need strength? What are some reasons you might need strength too? Can you find that strength by allowing the Spirit of God to bring about His fruit in you (see Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
  See All...)?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you of His joy.
• Ask God to help sorrow and joy accomplish their God-given purposes.

HYMN

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