Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 6:8-9
Nehemiah 6:8-9 record for us Nehemiah’s response to the false accusations sent to him by Sanballat. Sanballat had sent his servant to Nehemiah to tell Nehemiah what he planned to do against Nehemiah if Nehemiah would not meet with him and the others. God uses Nehemiah to call out the lie that Sanballat had planned to send to the king. Also, note in Nehemiah 6:9 that Nehemiah knows that the lie set forth by Sanballat was done to try and frighten Nehemiah and the rest of the Jews. God gave Nehemiah the wisdom he needed to see through the lie so that fear did not overcome him or the Jews. So, Nehemiah and the rest of the Jews did not stop working on the wall and the gates around Jerusalem because they were not afraid. Fear is an excellent tool of our enemy, and if we’re not walking in close fellowship with our Lord, we can be overcome with fear. The opposite of fear is faith. We must choose to cling to God and His Word every day of our lives. If we get caught up with the news on TV, or social media, we will begin to believe that everything is falling apart and that there is no hope. But, when we choose to flood our minds with fellowshipping with our Lord and memorize and meditate on His Word, we experience His peace and His wisdom. Nehemiah chose to trust in God completely and simply asked God, “O God, strengthen my hands.”
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about fear and faith?
2. How will you choose to guard your heart from fear and instead to walk in complete faith in God in all areas of your life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!