Everyone’s heard the verse The Joy of the Lord is my strength. I’ve been meditating on that all week long. However, I decided to read the whole chapter of Nehemiah 8 to understand the context of this first verse. Ezra was reading the book of the law to the people and they were weeping. He told them not to mourn because the joy of the Lord is our strength. He read some more to them and they began to understand what the word of the Lord was saying. They then went out with joy like never before.
Sometimes, all we see are the complicated things in front of us. As a result, we don’t understand life through God’s eyes. But when we understand His Word and Principles and apply it to our life, we can stop our weeping. Because there comes a renewed sense of his strength as we live in his Joy knowing His promises will be fulfilled.

NOW LET THE JOY OF THE LORD BE YOUR STRENGTH!

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“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. – Nehemiah 8:9-12