{"id":35176,"date":"2023-03-20T03:30:19","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T10:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35176"},"modified":"2023-03-18T20:47:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-19T03:47:12","slug":"march-20-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/03\/20\/march-20-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"March 20, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Afraid<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cFor they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, \u2018Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.\u2019 Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.\u201d Nehemiah 6:9<\/em><\/p>\n

As we start out on a big project or a job we\u2019ve never done before, we may feel afraid. I have experienced this many times as I\u2019ve begun some creative work. I never know how it will turn out. I know people will want to see it when it\u2019s done (because I opened my big mouth and told them what I was doing), and I just don\u2019t think I will be comfortable with showing it to them. Perhaps they will offer insincere comments, or critique it, or reject it. I am afraid, and thus I am weakened, if not completely impotent, to finish the work.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Scripture verse pertains to Nehemiah and the many workers who were helping him rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The enemies came along and taunted them, and sent discouraging mail to them, and told them they would never get it done. They told many lies about what would happen if they dared to continue. But Nehemiah stood firm. He knew that fear weakens the work.<\/p>\n

If anyone had listened to the words that brought fear, they would have stopped working. They would expect the worst, and would slow down their efforts. Maybe they would call in sick, thinking it really didn\u2019t matter if they stayed home. They would have made excuses for not continuing the work. And of course, if it doesn\u2019t continue, it can\u2019t get done.<\/p>\n

Perhaps this is why Jesus said, \u201cDo not be afraid.\u201d He knew that any fear in the disciples would weaken the work, perhaps even stop it completely. And there certainly was a lot to fear during the years of Jesus\u2019s ministry. The public, the Jews, the synagogue leaders, and Rome all conspired against Jesus.<\/p>\n

In my case, if I don\u2019t remember to fix my eyes on Jesus and things above, then I will surely sink under the weight of the discouraging what-ifs and it-mights. I find myself making up reasons not to get back to the work. I feel I\u2019m just not up to the task. I didn\u2019t get enough sleep last night to think clearly. I have aches and pains. And frankly, who will care whether I do this thing or not?<\/p>\n

It’s so easy to tell others, \u201cGod will help you.\u201d But when it\u2019s you, you want a whirlwind presence to assure you that He is with you in it. You want written directions, the spoken word, the guiding hand, and the foolproof recipe before you take a single step.<\/p>\n

Here is the final word from Nehemiah to his weary workers: \u201cDo not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength\u201d (Nehemiah 8:10).<\/p>\n

Lord, make us bold to do Your calling. Help us not to fear, but to trust You are with us, helping and enabling. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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