Nehemiah 4

Well, some people just didn’t want that Jerusalem wall rebuilt! "When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry." (vs 7) First, they had tried to intimidate the people with insults and threats. When that didn’t stop the work, they plotted to attack the people who were rebuilding the wall.

Of course, this made the people very nervous. They posted a guard at the wall day and night to respond to any threats that came up. Later, Nehemiah stationed some of the people with swords, spears, and bows at the weakest points along the wall. Still, tensions were high, and many people were afraid.

That’s when Nehemiah "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 families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'" (vs 14)

Did you notice the two things that are linked in that verse? Don’t be afraid and Remember the Lord. The reason those two things are linked is because they go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. If you are afraid, it’s because you’ve forgotten the Lord, "who is great and awesome." And if you remember the Lord, there is truly no place for fear.

God dissolves fear. Seriously. Take a moment to think about it. No matter what you’re facing, how can fear, worry, and anxiety grip your heart when you remember the Lord and who He is? He is the one who created the heavens and the earth. He is the one who has complete control over nature. He is the one who has performed every possible miracle—healing disease, calming storms, multiplying food, and even resurrecting people from the grave. Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing is impossible with Him.

When you know that this God is on your side, and when you know there are no limits on what He can do when it is the best and right thing to do, how can you be afraid? As Paul said in Romans 8, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" No one can oppose you. No one can snatch you out of His hand. And any hard thing that comes to you in life is not a surprise to Him. He has seen it coming, and if He allows it to unfold in your life, He must know that—for whatever reason—it is for the best, for He is working all things together for your good.

So, the next time you’re afraid, take Nehemiah’s advice. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome. He is bigger than anyone and anything we will encounter in this life. And His plan for you is right on target and right on time.