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Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 4:7-14

Many times in the Bible, when things were getting tense, someone would often show up on the scene and say the words, “Don’t be afraid.”

What I’ve found interesting in reading through these stories is that the person speaking is not saying, “There’s nothing to fear.”  They’re saying, “Don’t be afraid,” even though the danger is very real.  Real threats are at hand.  Real attacks are on their way.  Real lives are at stake.  It’s not like telling your kids to go back to bed because there’s no such thing as monsters.  In these stories, the “monsters” are very real, just like they may be in your life right now, too.

So, if the danger is real, why would God send angels or others to tell people, “Don’t be afraid?”  The reason is that even though the danger is real, so is God.  As someone has said, “Don’t tell God how big your storm is.  Tell the storm how big your God is.”

When Nehemiah and his people faced life-threatening attacks in Nehemiah chapter 4, Nehemiah said:

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…” (Nehemiah 4:14a).

If you look at the threats that were being made against Nehemiah and his people, you’ll see that Nehemiah wasn’t trying to discount the threats, or make light of them, or say that they didn’t exist, like fairy-tale monsters in a closet.  He wanted to remind them to remember the Lord, the one who had called them to this project in the first place.

As you read the story, you’ll see that the situation looked bleak―and it was bleak.  When those who opposed the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem heard that the repairs had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed,

“they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” (Nehemiah 4:8-9).

“The people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’  Also our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.’  Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, ‘Wherever you turn, they will attack us’ ” (Nehemiah 4:10-12). 

It was in the midst of these very discouraging times that Nehemiah took bold action and spoke bold words:

“Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes’ ” (Nehemiah 4:13-14).

I’m not here today to tell you there’s nothing to fear.  Real attacks may come.  There is fighting throughout the world, and even Israel is under attack once again.  For you, it may be that your finances are crumbling.  Your health may be failing.  The adulteress who threatened your marriage may be back in the picture.  But as real as those threats may be, I want to tell you today that God is just as real.  I want to tell you today:  “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

When fatigue sets in, remind yourself that “this matters.”

As the Lord told Jehosephat:

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). 

As the Lord told the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah:

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:5a). 

As the Lord told Daniel:

“Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them” (Daniel 10:12). 

Don’t be afraid.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.  Keep putting your trust in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for promising to never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me to remember You today so that I don’t have to be afraid.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.