You'll find it in Nehemiah. After they had rebuilt Jerusalem's defenses, they gathered before the Water Gate (Neh. 8:1) so Ezra could read the Law of Moses to them. Ezra, of course, didn't benefit from the "seeker sensitive" training of today. He kept them standing from early morning until midday reading and explaining (Neh. 8:8) the Law to everyone who could understand (Neh. 8:3). The response was interesting.
All the people wept as they heard the words of the Law (Neh. 8:9).What a concept! They didn't nod in agreement. They didn't shout their approval. They didn't glaze over like so many of us tend to do (even with those short sermons that are so popular today). Faced with the Law of God, clearly explained, they wept.
The leaders sent the crowd home. "Go eat. Don't weep." The outcome was an impromptu 7-day seminar of in-depth study of the Law (Neh. 8:13-18). But there, at the beginning, when all was explained, the response was weeping.
It is here that the Nehemiah uses the famous phrase, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10). Think about that in context. The natural response for the people of God when faced with the stark realization of their obvious sin is sorrow. How could we have so transgressed the will of the God we love? Given the depth of sin and the holiness of God, the question becomes "How can we recover from this sorrow?" Nehemiah's answer is, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Rejoicing in God and His greatness isn't merely pleasant -- it provides strength. It fortifies you. Rejoicing in the Lord fits us for God's work.
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Rejoice in His presence. Rejoice in His love and mercy and grace. Rejoice in His forgiveness. Rejoice in His holiness. That joy will provide you inner strength that will sustain you when you are faced with difficulties in life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
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