The Joy of the LORD is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10

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 8:10

Hello, dear @Jenny
What a wonderful verse, it’s truly a truth some times forgotten. We focus on the fear of God and the rules we must follow, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy, instead, the intention of the Lord is that we are more and really happy. His strength is our joy, because he gives what our hearts truly want!
Kind regards, Luis Guerrero.

Have you ever thought about the fact that being in a relationship with you makes God happy? Knowing that God feels this way about you should spark the flame of joy within you, too!
As Christians, we have access to God’s boundless joy, a joy that does not come from our circumstances or within ourselves. It does not depend on how strong or spiritual we are.
This joy comes from God alone, and the relationship we have with Him.

Amen His Joy is Us!
For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross” Hebrews 12:2
The only reason Jesus endured the cross, is because of the joy of reconciliation with you! The joy of having once again an unbroken relationship with you. The joy of unbroken fellowship with you. He has found His pearl of great price and your value in His eyes made Him able to endure anything, even the cross, in order to have you close to Him.