The joy of the Lord is your strength

The people of Israel had their moments in which they forgot God and in the book of Nehemiah, specifically in chapter 8 we realize that the people of Israel were very disoriented with respect to the book of the law and is ther where they find it and the scribe Ezra reads it in front of all the people gathered there, who paid close attention.

At that moment all were humbled before the presence of the Lord, they were also sad, because when they heard everything in the book of the law they realized that they had turned away from God and had forgotten His commandments. That was simply a great moment, a new dawn, a new sun, a new light for all the children of Israel and in that same way is the Word of God for us, a light that illuminates our whole interior and makes us be back in the ways of our Creator.

The Bible tells us:

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 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 8:8-10

Perhaps you are going through a very bitter situation and for a moment you have forgotten what God wants for your life as it is written in His Word, maybe you have forgotten God’s plan for your life, but this is not the end, but that God makes a sun rise every day for us, gives us the opportunity of a sunrise and we must take advantage of this to put into action the plan of God in our lives.

No matter how sad you are, just believe in His Word, strive, be brave and say along with those leaders: “The joy of the Lord is your strength”. Being joyful in God makes us strong and if God is with us, no one can stop us.

This passage from the book of Nehemiah teaches us that even when a person or an entire nation has strayed from God, He always provides a moment of return, a space for restoration. The people had been living far from the commandments, unaware of how far they had drifted, until the Word of God was read aloud. That moment became a mirror that revealed their spiritual condition, but also a doorway through which hope and renewal entered. In the same way, when we expose our hearts to Scripture, it confronts us, but it also heals, strengthens, guides, and gives us the courage to rise again.

Ezra’s reading did not simply inform the people; it awakened them spiritually. It stirred emotions, produced repentance, and brought clarity to their minds. The leaders encouraged them not to remain in sorrow, but to understand that returning to God is reason for joy. Many times, believers remain trapped in guilt or in memories of their failures, thinking that God no longer wants them. However, this passage reassures us that God always opens His arms to those who return with humility. His desire is not that we mourn forever, but that His joy becomes our daily strength.

In our spiritual walk, it is possible to forget the path, to allow distractions, trials, or pain to blur what God has spoken over our lives. But the Lord, in His mercy, constantly calls us back. Every new day is an opportunity to realign our steps, to pick up the spiritual disciplines we may have abandoned, and to remember the purpose that He has placed within us. Just as the Israelites rediscovered the Book of the Law, we too can rediscover the power of God’s Word when we return to it with sincerity.

The phrase “the joy of the Lord is your strength” is one of the most powerful declarations found in Scripture. It reminds us that our strength does not come from our circumstances, emotional state, or personal achievements. True strength comes from the joy that God imparts—a joy that flows from His presence, His promises, and His everlasting love. When we embrace this truth, we learn to stand firm even in seasons of adversity. The enemy may try to weaken us through sadness or discouragement, but the joy of the Lord lifts us, renews us, and empowers us to continue forward.

Therefore, just as the people of Israel found restoration through the Word, we also can experience renewal today. God invites us to open our hearts, to listen attentively, and to allow His voice to illuminate paths we may have forgotten. His joy will sustain us, His Word will guide us, and His presence will strengthen us every step of the way.