Encouragement in the midst of struggle

I just wanted to share with you today two very encouraging words of Scripture and the difficult passages they come in the midst of.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."

This verse actually comes from Nememiah (not Psalms, like I thought.)
The people have returned from exile and the wall around the city has been completed. Ezra has gathered the people together and read to them the whole law. The people are mourning over their sin and weeping. This is when Nehemiah tells them, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" Ch 8 verse 10 - In the midst of realizing their sin and disobedience the people are reminded that it is joy in their Lord that will provide them the strength to be obedient.

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

I discovered the context of this verse when I decided it was high time I knew the "address" for this verse I was trying to get in the habit of repeating to myself every morning. It is from the Psalms - 118:24 This is one of the Psalms historians say was repeated during the Passover meal - it was probably used during the Last Supper when Jesus presided over the Passover meal with His disciples. This verse is preceded by two others vs. 22-23 "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Check out the rest of the Psalm and consider how amazing it is for our Lord to speak these words to His disciples fully knowing what they meant and declare rejoicing and gladness in the face of His impending crucifixion! Apparently the joy of the Lord was His strength also.

So rejoice in the Lord despite your circumstances today and rest in the strength that joy provides.