The Joy of the Lord is your Strength - What does that even mean?

The joy of the Lord is my strength,  the joy of the Lord is my strength, the joy of the Lord is my strength....  It rings through my brain when I am struggling and feeling really down.  I usually feel this way when I don't see a way forward, a problem can't be resolved by me, etc etc.  And I hear this in my head.  

Then I asked myself the question,  "What does that even mean?"  What does the joy of the Lord is my strength mean?  So I decided to dig a little deeper, ask the questions and know so that when it comes flowing through my thoughts as it does in moments when I am down, I will know exactly what His joy being my strength means.

So, to the scripture:  Nehemiah 8 vs 10:  Then he said to them, "Go your way.  Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord.  And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

In context Ezra is reading the book of the law to all the people.  It is at a time after they have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding.  The people weep when they hear God's law read out to them and Ezra tells them not to be grieved because this day is the Lord's day and holy unto Him.  He tells them to go and eat and drink and share what they have because the joy of the Lord is their strength.  

What then is the joy of the Lord?

Some commentaries from Bible Hub:

Ellicot:  Delight in Jehovah is a strong refuge.  (I would say then that delighting in God, believing in Him, trusting in Him, brings joy, for we know He does not lie, and His word is true.)

MacLaren:  In Judaism, in its ceremonial aspect, was a religion of gladness.  So worshiping and praising God was done with gladness and in that there is great joy.

In Christianity joy in the Lord is a natural result of Christian faith (I would say then because you know you are saved, by grace, and are humbled and grateful for that, and from that stems joy).  MacLaren says the joy comes from what it gives us and what it takes away, ie:  It gives us a sense of acceptance with God, communion with Him, which brings joy.  And it takes away fear of the future, fear of trials and tribulations, fear of the struggle between the flesh and the spirit.  It takes away the sense of sin.  It gives us a conscience.  Quiet peace lies in the heart of the man that trusts in God.  The gospel works joy, because the soul is at rest in God (I have shortened this substantially but I think I got the gist of it)

Benson:  I'm going to quote directly as it is profound:  "For the joy of the Lord is your strength - That is, rejoicing in God, in the manner prescribed in His word, or serving Him with cheerfulness and thankfulness, (which is always your duty, but now especially,) will give you that strength, both of body and mind, which you greatly need, that you may perform all the duties required of you, and oppose the designs, of your enemies against you.  But dejection of mind, and excessive grief, if you indulge it, will both offend God and damp your spirits, and will even weaken your very bodies, and make you unfit for God's service, and an easy prey to your enemies."

WOW!

Cambridge Bible for Schools:  "For the joy of the Lord is your strength or stronghold - This joy of the Lord is not the joy of the Lord over Israel, but Israel's joy in her Lord".  

I love that! 

Google (not my favourite "go to" place, but quickest) had the following to say:

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) means that a believer's inner strength, resilience, and endurance come from God’s unchanging, victorious nature, rather than personal emotions, circumstances, or human effort. It is a deep-seated confidence in God's love and sovereignty, allowing for peace and hope even during difficult times. 

Key Aspects of This Meaning:

• Not Personal Happiness: It is not about fleeting, superficial happiness (which depends on good times), but a sustained joy rooted in God’s character.
• A Source of Power: It provides supernatural strength to endure trials, overcome fear, and maintain peace when life is chaotic.
• Based on God's Victory: It is the recognition that God has already secured victory, which gives us the security to move forward.
• Rooted in Scripture: Originating from Nehemiah 8:10, it was a reminder to the Israelites not to mourn, but to find strength in God's word and presence. 

Essentially, when we are weak, relying on God's joy—His satisfaction in His own work and love for us—becomes our strength to keep going. 

I think this line which I read in my bible notes, defines the answer best for me:

"As you rejoice in God and in His presence, He shows Himself strong to help you and defend you!

I think that I have pretty much answered my own question.  I hope this has helped you too.

God bless, Tracy