8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
What a wonderful day in the nation of Israel. The people stood in reverence at the reading of the law of God. The Scriptures were read and taught to the people. Nehemiah and Ezra declared the day to be holy unto the Lord. The people loved the reading of the law so much that their hearts filled to bursting and tears flowed from their eyes. Nehemiah told the people it wasn't a day for weeping, but a day for rejoicing in Israel. Nehemiah declared the day to be holy unto the Lord. Nehemiah declared that the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When our hearts fill to over flowing at the reading of God's Word we find strength. The strength for our daily life comes from the Word of God. Jesus reminded his disciple that He had meat to eat that they knew not of. Job declared that he desired the words of God's mouth more than his necessary food. In the Word of God we find the strength to face life as victors and not as those that are vanquished. We receive strength through the precious Word of God. We, along with the nation of Israel can declare this day holy unto the Lord, if we spend time in God's Word.
