NEHEMIAH 8:10 NLT 10 . . . Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" I do not claim it is the only meaning, but one thing the Lord showed me from this verse is that our level of joy is like a thermometer revealing our spiritual strength. If our joy is low -- our spiritual strength is low. That is because the Lord is our strength, and in His presence there is fullness of joy. PSALM 16:11 NKJ 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. So, if our joy is low, it means we have not been spending time in God's presence, receiving His strength and help. It means we have got our focus off God and onto something else. (Although God is always with us, as we worship Him and praise Him and thank Him, God manifests His presence.) Being gloomy is not a sign of being spiritual. God did not intend for His people to be downcast. Let the world be sad, we have something to rejoice about! Jes