When we hear the preaching of the Word of God and recognize we have sinned, we feel sorrow. But God is a merciful God, and hears our prayers of repentance. When we decide to follow Jesus and turn our back on sin, our sorrow begins to turn to joy. Jesus offers to wash our sins away by baptism in His name, and promises to fill us with His Spirit. Our sorrow turns to joy and peace.

"For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:5 KJV

Back in Nehemiah’s day, when the people heard God’s word for the first time in a long time, and it was explained to them, they wept. But Nehemiah, and Ezra the priest, and the Levites told them it was Rosh Hashanah, a day holy to the Lord. They said, “Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." The people turned to God when they heard His word. As they began to follow His commandments (it was the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, which they began to observe), the Bible says there was exceedingly great joy! (Nehemiah 8)

When we turn to God, are filled with His Spirit and live for Him, joy comes into our life. (Acts 13:52, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, 1 Peter 1:8)

Isaiah prophesied of the salvation of Christ. (Isaiah 12:1-3)

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." - Isaiah 12:3 KJV

Jesus told the woman at the well,

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:14 KJV

It was on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus spoke of living water being poured out, speaking of the Holy Ghost. And what joy the Holy Ghost brings!

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus was poured out, the Word of God was preached and the people felt sorrow, just like in the day of Nehemiah.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:36-42 KJV

Just like in Nehemiah’s day, the people received the Word of God and became obedient to it. They gladly received the word, and responded by obeying the Word. With the washing away of our sins, and the infilling of God’s promised Spirit, there is joy! And the joy of the Lord is our strength!