Nehemiah 6

“For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’ Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9, NKJV)

As humans, we are particularly vulnerable to fear. Not surprisingly, “fear not” appears 11 times in the Bible and “do not be afraid” appears 50 times. Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective tactics. If he can make us afraid or discourage us, then he will neutralize us. We will not challenge his strongholds. We will not do the work of the kingdom.

Nehemiah’s enemies were doing everything they could to intimate him. They falsely accused him of rebellion and said that they would report him to the king if he didn’t meet with them. But Nehemiah saw through their plot. He knew that they were trying to make them afraid so that they wouldn’t finish the work. So what did Nehemiah do? He prayed that God would strengthen his hands.

Then Tobiah and Sanballat hired Shemaiah (who was likely a priest) to tell Nehemiah, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight!” But Nehemiah replied, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” Nehemiah realized that God had not sent him but that Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him hoping to intimidate Nehemiah and make him sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit him.

Because Nehemiah refused to be discouraged or dissuaded from the work by these fear tactics, the wall was completed in 52 days.

“When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16, NLT)

The Bible tells us that the fear of man will prove to be a trap, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25). What do you fear the most? Is that fear hindering you from following Christ and doing His will? Then confess it to God and pray that He will remove it and strengthen you to finish the work.