Jews who lived in the outlying villages kept on bringing reports of the enemy planing another sneak attack. Nehemiah saw that his people were starting to become afraid, so he began to act. Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist, who wrote in his journal on September 7, 1851, "Nothing is so much to be feared as fear." Why? Because fear paralyzes you, fear is contagious and fear paralyzes others. Fear and faith cannot live together in the same heart.
Nehemiah's first step is to post guards at the most vulnerable places on the wall. He armed entire families, knowing that they would stand together and encourage one another. Families stood together to protect their homes and their city.
After looking the situation over, Nehemiah then encouraged the people not to be afraid but to look to the Lord for help. If we fear the Lord we need not fear the enemy. Nehemiah new that God was strong enough to meet the challenge. He reminded them that their fighting for their nation, their city, and their families. If the nation was destroyed, what would become of God's great promises to Israel and his plan of redemption? When we face a situation that creates fear in our hearts, we must reminded ourselves of the greatness of God!! If we walk by sight and view God through the problems, we will fail, as did the Jews at Kadesh-Barnea (Num. 13:26-33). But if we look at the problem through the greatness of God, we will have confidence and succeed. That was the approach David took when he faced Goliath (1 Sam 17:45-47). I know I have said this many times before but here we go again what stops the people of God from stepping out of he boat (FEAR)!!!! When the Holy Spirit asks us to do something all of a sudden we become fearful and we start making excuses instead of being obedient. We need to realize our help comes from the maker of heaven and earth, there should be no fear for those who our found in Christ Jesus.
When the enemy learned that Jerusalem was armed and ready, they backed off. God had frustrated their plot. "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations" (Ps.33:10-11 NKJV). It is good to remind ourselves that the will of God comes from the heart of God and we need not be afraid.
The people where armed with both a tool and a weapon prepared to fight as they continued on their task to rebuild the wall. They realized it was God who fought with them and He alone could give the victory. Building and battling are both a normal part of the Christian life if we are faithful disciples. Nehemiah not only organized the workers and guards and encouraged them to trust the Lord, but he also set the right kind of example before them. He was a leader who served and a servant who lead. The late Dr. Alan Redpath explained why the Jews succeeded in getting the work done and keeping the enemy at bay: The people had a mind to work (v.6), a heart to pray (v.9), an eye to watch (v.9) and an ear to hear (v.20) and this gave them the victory (Victorious Christian Service, Revell, 1958; pp.76-79). They also had a godly leader with the faith to stand. I want to leave you with this verse and I hope it encourages you in your journey of faith. "Therefore be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor.15:58, NKJV).
No comments:
Post a Comment