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"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." (Nehemiah 8:10) When Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites had finished teaching and giving understanding to the people that had gathered as one man into the street which was before the water gate, their final words of encouragement, "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength." were borne upon their hearts. The verse doesn't say that joy WAS YOUR STRENGTH or WILL BE YOUR STRENGTH. No, it says: "IS YOUR STRENGTH."When those dear people heard that glad news they made "great mirth." Why? "...because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." (v. 12)Oh, that today's Christian would understand the teaching of God's Word concerning joy. Lasting joy is not found in the Company we keep, the Cash we have, or the Comforts we buy. Real joy rests in the Christ of Calvary and all that He promises to provide. Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (John 15:11) Did you see it there in that verse? His joy, Remaining joy, Fullness of joy. Jesus said, can be YOUR joy! That kind of joy isn't dependent upon things that are happening around us, rather it is from what the Lord has done within us.Meditate on that first verse again, "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Folks, Joy and Strength go together just like Grace and Mercy. Friend, are you feeling weakened over seemingly never-ending setbacks, sorrows, or sicknesses? Do you have that joy which strengthens you as go along day after day serving Him? If not, ask the Lord to restore that joy of being saved which will surely uphold you and keep you while traveling on your Redeemer's Road of Rejoicing.