Nehemiah’s leadership has brought the repair of the wall in Jerusalem to near completion. The opposition from their enemies had not succeeded. The people of Israel had returned to the city of Jerusalem as God had promised.
On the first day of the seventh month, the day of Trumpets, Ezra read from the book of the law of God and the Levites gave the meaning of the reading to the people so they could understand it.
The people began to weep. Possibly because of their failure in the past to keep the words they were hearing.
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.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)
The sin is past. The sin has been turned from. The sin has been forgiven by God. The people have returned to God and His word. This is a day of celebration.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
The joy of the Lord is your hope.
The joy of the Lord is your life.
Stay in the joy of the Lord.