9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 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.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them ~ Nehemiah 8:9-12
The Jews had only just begun to return to their homeland from the Babylonian captivity. Yes, the temple was finished and dedicated, and the wall was also finished but had not yet been dedicated. The people gathered, and Ezra, the priest, read from the Book of the Law of Moses. While Ezra read from the Book of the Law, the Levites explained the meaning to the people. When the people heard and understood the words that were being read, they began to mourn and weep. So, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites who were teaching the people began to tell them, “Do not mourn or weep, for this day is holy to the LORD your God. It was the first day of the seventh month. In other words, it was the Feast of Trumpets. It was a day of celebration with joy.
After that, Nehemiah sent the people home and told them to go, eat, drink, celebrate, and share with others who do not have. Then, he instructed the people not to grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So, here is the thing. When you get stressed out from either grieving, mourning, or anxiousness, it drains your physical strength. If you get really stressed out, you become anxious, and some people will even become depressed. It affects your immune system and your sleep, it will give you headaches, and it can even make you sick. It can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke. This takes a toll on your body. It will physically weaken you.
Joy, on the other hand, boosts your immune system, supports longevity, and promotes an overall healthier body, soul, and mind. Therefore, the joy of the LORD is our strength. Joy is much different than happiness. In short, happiness depends on circumstances, while joy depends on the LORD. We don’t need anything else to make us joyful, except to know Him and know that He loves us and cares for us and that He is coming back to get us one day, and there we will be with Him forever and ever. Therefore, we don’t let stress take over our lives; we hand it over to Jesus. As that old hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” He told us in His Word to cast all of our cares and anxieties on Him because He cares for us.
So, the next time you feel that age old enemy bringing stress on you, do not bend your back and submit to its load, but get on your knees and carry your burden to Jesus. Begin to worship, being to praise, sing songs of worship, and recite encouraging Psalms, like Psalms 23 and others. Heavenly Father, please help me not to submit to stress, anxiety, or depression. But rather, when I feel it coming on, help me to fight on my knees, give me the strength to seek Your joy, that I might be strengthened. In Jesus’ N\name, I pray, amen.