"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

A great crowd of people gathered early in the morning in a large outdoor courtyard. A special podium had been constructed to accommodate approximately sixteen people, some who would read, and some who would explain what was read.

The crowd is intensely attentive. Hours pass as though they were only minutes. Four hours of reading and explaining are concluded at noon, and the crowd slowly disperses. But it has been an emotional experience for those in attendance. The sounds of weeping were constant throughout the readings, and a collective cry of anguish nearly drowned out the explanations made of the readings. The grief-stricken people were assured that these words were designed to bring joy and hope, not despair and anguish.

This narrative, found in Nehemiah 8, reminds us that God's Word both hurts and heals, purposely pierces but also refreshingly restores. Ultimately we find the joy of our Father in and through His word, and that joy is our steadfast strength.

A great value found in reading and studying God's word is that it performs precision surgical work on our hearts and minds. We may find it tempting to neglect His word because of this initial pain it may inflict, but to do so is to miss the joy and strength its healing brings.

The joy of the LORD is indeed our strength. Our Father delights to help and heal, and the more we learn this from His word, the more we find that joy and strength.

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