Afraid

“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

As we start out on a big project or a job we’ve never done before, we may feel afraid. I have experienced this many times as I’ve begun some creative work. I never know how it will turn out. I know people will want to see it when it’s done (because I opened my big mouth and told them what I was doing), and I just don’t 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.

Today’s 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.

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’t matter if they stayed home. They would have made excuses for not continuing the work. And of course, if it doesn’t continue, it can’t get done.

Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” 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’s ministry. The public, the Jews, the synagogue leaders, and Rome all conspired against Jesus.

In my case, if I don’t 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’m just not up to the task. I didn’t 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?

It’s so easy to tell others, “God will help you.” But when it’s 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.

Here is the final word from Nehemiah to his weary workers: “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Lord, make us bold to do Your calling. Help us not to fear, but to trust You are with us, helping and enabling. Amen.