Nehemiah 8:10 – Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
During the return from captivity in Babylon, the Israelite people came back to Jerusalem and more importantly their identity as the people of God. They read the covenant given to Moses, the law of God, that promised blessing for obedience and forgiveness for repentance. Furthermore, the Books of the Law also taught them of salvation by the grace of God.
Many once captive people were overwhelmed with tears seeing their beloved city. However, Nehemiah would not let the people mourn, but rather they were reminded of the promises of God and ordered to celebrate. He said, “this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
What a concept?! The joy of the LORD is your strength. I hope you can rejoice in the LORD always. This joy keeps us from being downtrodden in the face of defeat, because the child of God is always victorious in Christ. Never let go of your Joy!