Nehemiah 4:14
Fear. We all have it. It looks different for everyone, but we all feel it at some point in our lives. Fear is what made Moses hesitate when God said he was the man to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Fear is what caused the Israelites to wander in the wilderness. Fear is what made Jonah run from God. Fear is what caused Elijah to run from his enemies. There are several others I could mention. The Bible is full of people who were fearful. It’s no wonder there are over 300+ verses on fear in scripture. The creator knew we would be timid, reluctant, and fearful beings. The book of Nehemiah unfolded centuries after Moses, Jonah, and Elijah. It’s like Nehemiah knew what fear had done in the past, and he did not want history to repeat itself. Every time there was fear, there was a consequence for not acting out in faith.
When people stand for truth or a noble cause, it’s bound to get backlash. Nehemiah and many others had begun to work on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but opposition wasn’t far. Sanballat, the governor, mocked Nehemiah and his workers. He plotted to kill them and to put an end to the work on the walls. Nehemiah, upon hearing the threats, prepares people, and the first words he says are “Do not be afraid”. He continues by encouraging them to remember God and how awesome he is, and urges them to protect their families and homes. The people were to REMEMBER God. Remember how things turned out for the former generations who didn’t trust God and acted on their fear! Later in the chapter, He says a powerful statement to the people, “Our God will fight for us”. In the midst of threats and incoming attacks, Nehemiah still led the people well. Sure, he may have been scared, but that fear did not stop him. He didn’t tell the others they might as well give up; he told them to fight. It was go time. Nothing was to get in the way of this wall being built. If something is from God, nothing can stop it!
In our own lives, we give into fear far too easily. We don’t trust that God is fighting for us! Even when God has proven himself faithful again and again, we doubt and get discouraged. When are we going to let faith over fear be a way of life instead of a bumper sticker or a T-shirt? God is able. He’s got this. He has a plan, he has a way, and no one can stop it! As mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, we must step out in faith for our families the way these people did. They did not cower with fear when threats came. They prepared for battle, trusting the one who holds all things together. Now, I hope no one is threatening your family, but Satan definitely threatens the family unit every day. Marriages and families are very precious to God and are ordained by Him; that’s why the enemy starts there. Are you aware of that? I hope you are stepping out in faith that God has your circumstances or your family under control. Don’t let fear or doubt rule over you. Our heavenly father tells us over and over, “Fear not” and “Do not be afraid” throughout the pages of scripture. Faith over fear…do it for your family!
Fear. We all have it. It looks different for everyone, but we all feel it at some point in our lives. Fear is what made Moses hesitate when God said he was the man to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Fear is what caused the Israelites to wander in the wilderness. Fear is what made Jonah run from God. Fear is what caused Elijah to run from his enemies. There are several others I could mention. The Bible is full of people who were fearful. It’s no wonder there are over 300+ verses on fear in scripture. The creator knew we would be timid, reluctant, and fearful beings. The book of Nehemiah unfolded centuries after Moses, Jonah, and Elijah. It’s like Nehemiah knew what fear had done in the past, and he did not want history to repeat itself. Every time there was fear, there was a consequence for not acting out in faith.
When people stand for truth or a noble cause, it’s bound to get backlash. Nehemiah and many others had begun to work on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but opposition wasn’t far. Sanballat, the governor, mocked Nehemiah and his workers. He plotted to kill them and to put an end to the work on the walls. Nehemiah, upon hearing the threats, prepares people, and the first words he says are “Do not be afraid”. He continues by encouraging them to remember God and how awesome he is, and urges them to protect their families and homes. The people were to REMEMBER God. Remember how things turned out for the former generations who didn’t trust God and acted on their fear! Later in the chapter, He says a powerful statement to the people, “Our God will fight for us”. In the midst of threats and incoming attacks, Nehemiah still led the people well. Sure, he may have been scared, but that fear did not stop him. He didn’t tell the others they might as well give up; he told them to fight. It was go time. Nothing was to get in the way of this wall being built. If something is from God, nothing can stop it!
In our own lives, we give into fear far too easily. We don’t trust that God is fighting for us! Even when God has proven himself faithful again and again, we doubt and get discouraged. When are we going to let faith over fear be a way of life instead of a bumper sticker or a T-shirt? God is able. He’s got this. He has a plan, he has a way, and no one can stop it! As mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, we must step out in faith for our families the way these people did. They did not cower with fear when threats came. They prepared for battle, trusting the one who holds all things together. Now, I hope no one is threatening your family, but Satan definitely threatens the family unit every day. Marriages and families are very precious to God and are ordained by Him; that’s why the enemy starts there. Are you aware of that? I hope you are stepping out in faith that God has your circumstances or your family under control. Don’t let fear or doubt rule over you. Our heavenly father tells us over and over, “Fear not” and “Do not be afraid” throughout the pages of scripture. Faith over fear…do it for your family!
Posted in Devotional