8.12.12 "Don't Be Afraid! Remember the Lord! Fight!"

"Don't Be Afraid! Remember the Lord! Fight!" 

Nehemiah 3:15-5:13 
I Corinthians 7:20-40 
Psalm 32:1-11 
Proverbs 21:5-7 

What do you do when it just seems like everything is going wrong? The opposition is too great. Is it worth it? 

Nehemiah chapter 4 describes some of the most intense opposition his people experience in the building of the wall. Nehemiah is being obedient to what God has called him to do. He's cast the vision. He has all of the workers organized, and there is progress. And here comes Sanballat & Tobiah, mocking them as they work. Nehemiah cries out to God about this, and keeps on going. 

Then things get better, right? No, when the workers visit home, the enemy has planted people to try to discourage the workers. If that isn't enough, then there's an army organized against them, planning to attack. 

You know what, Nehemiah? It just ain't worth it. You tried. This must not be of God. It's too tough. Maybe you are out of God's will. Maybe your motives were wrong in doing this. I don't think anyone would blame you if you quit working. Nice try. 

Is that how it played out? No. In Nehemiah 4:14 it says, "Then as I looked over the situation I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, 'Don't be afraid! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious; fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!'" verse 15-18 "... Now we all returned to our work on the wall; but from then on, only half worked while the other half stood guard behind them. And the masons and laborers worked with weapons within easy reach beside them, or with swords belted to their sides. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm." verse 20-21, " We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset; and half the men were always on guard." 

As modern day believers we are facing tremendous opposition. If we really looked at the state of morality, the lack of fear of God, and other situations in the world, we could very easily feel like quitting. "It's just not worth it." 

Marriages are under attack. Not only nationally, but individually. The enemy is doing whatever he can to destroy Godly foundations. What should we do? Should we quit? Give in? 

I Corinthians 7:28-30 says, "... marriage will bring extra problems that I wish you didn't have to face right now. The important thing to remember is that our remaining time is very short, [and so are our opportunities for doing the Lord's work]. For that reason those who have wives should stay as free as possible for the Lord; happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep you from doing God's work." 

You may read that & think, "What did Paul say?? Marriage brings problems?? We shouldn't face them???" The point is that so many people are shocked when trouble comes in marriage. They think that it must be doomed. NOT AT ALL! That's the point! Your marriage is a weapon the Lord wants to use against the enemy. When you get married, you are a target. 

Just like Nehemiah on the wall, when you are doing work for the Lord, don't be surprised when opposition comes. Whether it's in your marriage or your job, or in your ministry, you need to follow the advice of Nehemiah. "Don't be afraid! Remember the Lord. Fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!" 

Proverbs 21:5 says, "Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty." So many of us want the "get rich quick" plan. Not just in our finances, but in our marriage, and in our dreams. We want to know the secret so it will just "happen". That's not the way it works. God wants us to prosper in ALL things. He wants our character to prosper. That can only happen through the refining furnace of affliction and the crucible of conflict. 

Do not grow weary! Don't Be Afraid! Remember the Lord! Fight! 



Through the Power of the Spirit, 
Live the DREAM! 

Pastor Greg Lathe 

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship 
Relationships Devoted to Unity 
Empowered Through Biblical Training 
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Mission to Reach our World for Christ