FRIDAY June 2, 2017
The Snare of Fear
For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” - Nehemiah 6:9
Notice the attacks of the enemy against Nehemiah had come when he had closed the gaps in the wall, and needed to hang the doors in the gates. He had almost fulfilled the work of God (Nehemiah 6:1). Nehemiah had remained focused and undeterred by his enemies.
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, threatened to tell the King of Persia that Nehemiah intended to make himself a king in Jerusalem, thinking they would make Nehemiah and the people afraid. But Nehemiah rightly discerned that their threats were yet another attempt to weaken the work, so it could not be fully completed. However, Nehemiah did not fear man; he feared God, and placed his trust and confidence in the Lord.
King David was another man who placed his confidence and trust in God. He was hunted by King Saul––a jealous king who sought to kill him. David spent a great amount of time on the run, constantly being pursued by Saul. Yet, David had confidence in God’s deliverance, he wrote:
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:2-3).
When people come against us we have a tendency to become fearful. If we become terrified of our enemies, and the plans they have schemed against us, then we shall become weak and find ourselves in deep trouble. Proverbs 29:25 tells us: The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings,from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me.
~Psalm 17:8-9~
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