“For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”
In the conflict, Nehemiah was trying to rebuild not only the wall of Jerusalem but also to rebuild the confidence of a demoralized people, and glorify God in doing His Work. As they were rebuilding they had the constant opposition, primarily through three individuals. Nehemiah recognized one of their weapons, that of fear, and if yielded to leads to discouragement- to take courage from them and the end result? Quit. Throw in the towel, so the work would not be finished. He recognized the enemies evil weapons, fear, discouragement, quit! The evil one still uses people as puppets to seek to accomplish his work in stopping God’s people from accomplishing God’s work. Can you identify? Sure you can. You too, in this spiritual conflict know of the thoughts of “fear,” seeking to terrify and discourage you, where you spiral so low emotionally you just want to quit, give up,”what’s the point?” comes to your mind, and you agree there is no point so you think, “I quit, I give up, I’m done, that’s me finished, I can’t go on!” All, and more such thoughts I AM SURE HAVE COME TO YOUR MIND AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. All because you are seeking to follow the LORD. There is conflict in the will of God.
We live in a “war-zone,” a spiritual “war-zone” where the Glory of God is attacked, where the souls of people and their eternal welfare is violently opposed in the spiritual realm. Sometimes we forget that, as we tend to live by sight … rather than faith in our Faithful God!
Nehemiah recognized the attack and instead of “throwing in the towel” or even relating it to himself, by turning inward, which we all often, too often do, he immediately turns to the LORD and… PRAYS! He RELATES it to God. There is a good point for us to ponder and practice when fear, discouragement or the temptation to quit comes to mind… turn and TALK TO THE LORD… Nehemiah did and prayed specifically, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” His prayer is a prayer of faith in the faithfulness of God and REVEALS his dependency upon GOD for strength. And if you read on in the chapter, the job got done, the people encouraged, turning and worshiping the LORD. God found a man, an ordinary man and used him to influence for the welfare of others. He faced conflict as did Isaiah, {Read Isaiah 41;10}; Joshua, -{Read Joshua 1:9} Paul…{Read Acts 18:9 } and YOU! You are in good company, a royal lineage… when tempted to fear, RECOGNIZE it and to yield to it will lead to discouragement and giving up, losing hope! Instead REALIZE- You DO NOT HAVE TO YIELD to FEAR… JESUS CHRIST SET YOU FREE FROM LIVING IN SUCH BONDAGE.-{Read John 8:31-32; Galatians 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:7}
Temptation does not mean you have to YIELD!
You have the power to say ‘NO’ to it and ‘YES’ to the LORD-{Read Phil 2:13; Phil 4:13; 2 Peter 1:3-4.}
When the temptation comes immediately turn TO the LORD in PRAYER!
RELATE it to GOD asking for His help in the matter to do His Will… and He will help, for He is faithful! Ask HIM TO teach and REMIND you that when you are tempted that like someone knocking at your front door, you immediately answer with PRAYER! Having Him answer the temptation. Bringing Him into the scenario!
He already is present, it is just you and I need to REALIZE He is!
Years and years later, Paul on mission with and for God would experience FEAR.. {Acts 18}…and God as He had in previous generations comforted him with TRUTH… the RESULT…he stayed on, he did not flee because of fear, but planted himself, focused on sharing the Word of God…he continued sharing as he had done previously. And countless others eternally benefited! God found a man, who was tested severely… fear injected to his mind…seeking to STOP him. “But God,” who was ever present spoke to him. Comforted him, revealed His plans, His Sovereignty, and His design and privilege bestowed upon Paul… to be part of His eternal design!
God still speaks, through His Word, as His means, and fears still come but remember God is Sovereign. You are part of His plans for the eternal welfare of others upon this earth as long as you live you have purpose and His Word your means to hold forth to the people you find yourself with. Paul, as the saying goes, “Bloom where you are planted,” did so, and… others benefited, eternally so!
I thank God you are where you are, for in it you will know Him, and others will benefit, eternally so!
“… If you continue in My Word… you will know the truth and the truth will set you free…” and that includes FEAR!
You are no longer a slave to fear but a child of God!
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”-{Gal 5:1}
RECOGNIZE- REALIZE– you are no longer a slave to fear{Read Gal 5:1} RE-FOCUS… Your THOUGHTS on God, REMEMBER – His Character, His Promises, His Word… RELATE to GOD…REST -in Him and His promises!
Answer Temptation with PRAYER…Ask God to REMIND you to do so, immediately!
REPEAT!! REJOICE!!!