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"THE JOY THAT STRENGTHENS US" "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.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 8:9-10)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, if today's Christian would just 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.Spending time daily with the Lord will bring us a joy that cannot be measured, David wrote, "1Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11) Yes, "FULNESS OF JOY AND PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE" is that which He provides!I believe that God intended His people to be the most joyful people in the World. But you wouldn't know it by looking at some of them Far too many go here and there with their lower lip always dragging close to their shoe tops. They look like Maude the Mule that's been munching away from that ole oat bucket all day. Hey, now, is that the joy of the Lord that strengthens anyone? I think not!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.Friends, 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.