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The physical strength of a man as a labourer is not unfrequently regarded as the measure of his worth; but mental strength is as much superior to the physical as the soul is to the body. Physical weakness often co-exists with mental might; but both bodily and mental strength may be found in combination with the utterest spiritual weakness.

I. HUMAN JOY IS IDENTICAL WITH DIVINE JOY.

1. The joy of atonement with God. God and man atoned by Christ's death, de facto as well as de jure, produces joy in God and man. "We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have received the atonement."

2. The joy of reciprocated love. Antecedent to reconciliation with God, His love to us is love of pity and compassion; but atoned in Christ, God's love to us is that of moral esteem, and our love to Him is the re-percussion of His love to us. "We love Him because He first loved us." "If any man love Me," etc. (John 14:23).

3. Joy of assimilated character. As an element of the kingdom of God joy is a Divine attribute, inherited by those who are "one with Christ." "That they might have My joy fulfilled" (John 17:13). "That they all may be one," etc. (John 17:21). Divine strength and joy are our everlasting inheritance.

II. HUMAN STRENGTH IS GENERATED BY DIVINE JOY.

1. As experienced in freedom from man-fear. "Only fear the Lord" is one of the first lessons of Christian manliness. God-fear annihilates man-fear, which ever "bringeth a snare."

2. As experienced in freedom from death-fear. Really in birth we take up death; but in Christian decease death dies. "That through death He might destroy, etc. (Hebrews 2:14, 15.)

3. As developed in all holy action and endurance. The strength of health must be operative. To use is to gain strength. "They go from strength to strength" (Psalm 84:7).

(Homilist.)

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KJV: And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

WEB: Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to Yahweh your God. Don't mourn, nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.