Nehemiah 8:10

The end of the this verse says for the joy of the Lord is your strength. I didn't quite understand this verse even after I read the chapter. How is the joy of the Lord my strength and how do you find that joy when you don't feel it? I did a little research into this and read the chapter again. The people heard God's word and they were convicted. They felt sorry for their sins and they were weeping. But this was the day set aside for praising God not for weeping. Nehemiah and Ezra told the people to stop weeping and to start praising. They were pleased that the people heard and understood the word of God but now was not the time to mourn. Now was the time to rejoice. Here we are not speaking of carnal joy brought on by fulfilling our own lusts we are talking about Holy Joy. It's joy in the goodness of God, His mercy, His grace. It's joy in us arising from our love in God and our interest to serve Him with our hearts and lives. It's joy in the blessings He bestows for doing right. When you look at Christ instead of yourself and you see His greatness and His love it will give you the strength you need to do what is right. At the time the people didn't feel like praising God they felt like mourning for their sins. But when they looked at the AWESOME GOD we serve and all His wonderful works they found the strength they needed to praise HIm as they should.