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 4:14b
The people were becoming discouraged when they saw the huge pile of rubble that needed to be built up into a wall. Already feeling beaten down, they were easy targets for the enemy. Their enemies moved in for the kill, telling the people of Judah that they were going to kill them and put an end to their work. (4:10)
The enemy uses our times of discouragement and our weakened states to send his destructive attacks. Like Nehemiah, we must remember that the Lord will fight for us. In fact, Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians that God is the strongest in us when we are in a weakened state! (II Corinthians 12:10) Nehemiah tells the people not to be afraid and reminds them that the battle belongs to the Lord. Throughout the Scriptures, when people are given assignments by the Lord, it is interesting to note that the Lord sends an angel to tell them not to be afraid.
The Lord has given us His Word, His Holy Spirit, and the assembly of saints to empower us with courage and strength when we face the challenges of life as we seek to accomplish what God has called us to do.
Nehemiah’s trust in God is contagious and motivating to the people. He tells them to strap their swords to their side and get to work, for the Lord will fight for them. What an encouraging word this is for us today as we face life’s challenges!
Heavenly Father, I am discouraged and overwhelmed trying to accomplish the tasks before me. Help me to remember that You are with me; help me to recognize the source of my fear and turn to You as the source of my courage, remembering that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
