God Who Made the Promise Is Faithful
The story of Nehemiah contains a powerful reminder for each of us right now: God who made the promise is faithful. He stands with you in your service for Him.
Just as Nehemiah had an unshakable confidence when faced with opposition, God has a gift of faith for you, faith that is timely and specific to your needs. Perhaps you have been experiencing changes. You may even be facing resistance. If so, take heart in this assurance: If God is for you, who can ever be against you? (see Rom. 8:31).
An Assailant in the Living Room
A few months ago, we had some unexpected changes take place. For a short time, I experienced an extreme level of oppression. Then one night, I had a dream that an assailant was in my living room. He was armed and wearing camouflage gear, and appeared to be moving towards me as though on a mission. Instantly I saw myself shoving the assailant over, but discovered it was just a cardboard picture, and it fell straight over. Yes, it was a life-sized cardboard cutout! I stirred awake and laughed.
You Can Knock Fear Down!
When a cardboard cutout is in your peripheral vision, or in the distance, how can you tell that it isn't real? Likewise, fear can seem real when it is just projecting an image of a threat – one that we can easily knock down. There's an oft-used acrostic that's relevant here: False Evidence Appearing Real (F.E.A.R.).
God used that dream to shift my perspective during a time of transition, and to remind me that I am an overcomer. It also inspired me to take another look at the story of Nehemiah.
Four Ways to Overcome Fear
In the right context, the physical experience of fear can keep us from danger, whereas demonic fear seeks to hinder our destiny.
Nehemiah's adversaries tried to achieve this by sending threatening messages (Nehemiah 6), and for a while, the rumors and evil reports were relentless. (Photo via Unsplash)
His response offers us wisdom for dealing with intimidation, whether it arises internally in our thoughts or externally from others:
1. Know and Declare the Truth
Nehemiah sent a message back, saying, "...'There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing'" (Neh. 6:8, NLT).
Those threats that come against you, that are based on lies, are empty of power. As Nehemiah did, you can declare the truth! Proclaim, "Fear, you are over and out, in Jesus' name!"
This is the light that brings comfort, reassurance, and joy! You are undefeated and victorious in Christ Jesus. Through overcoming faith, you can push past every fear.
2. Use the Bigger Picture to Stay on Track
Nehemiah observed, "They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination" (Neh. 6:9, NLT).
Nehemiah discerned the motivation behind the threats, and (unsurprisingly) it aimed to stop God's work. Sometimes attacks of intimidation are designed to dishearten you so that you give up the work of God, or to prevent you from moving in the new direction He has for you.
As I often say, "Where there is battle, there is bounty!" So, discern the bounty – the prize the enemy is after – and move in the opposite spirit, the Holy Spirit! As Nehemiah did, you can receive "even greater determination" to continue what God has called you to do.
3. Apply Faith and Wisdom
Nehemiah didn't dismiss the threats. He acted wisely to prepare the people to face a battle, but he didn't flinch from his God-given assignment. And he remained on track to complete rebuilding the city walls.
This serves as a reminder that faith and wisdom work together. It's not faith without wisdom, neither is it all wisdom without faith! Sometimes we mistakenly view them as opposites, but when we use them together, we honor God.
The Lord is shining His light into dark corners to reveal what has been working in the shadows. Some problems that seem to loom large will be overcome with wisdom and discernment.
4. Recall the Track Record of God's Favor
When Nehemiah's opponents were vocal, he remained on track. He knew that God who had made the promise would be faithful! (Photo via Unsplash)
To see God's hand at work, Nehemiah only needed to look back to see the chain of events that led to this moment:
• Answers to prayer
• The favor of the king
• Being commissioned
• Finances released
• The unity of God's people
And likewise for us, there is power in recalling the faithfulness of God and the milestones along the way.
God Is Your Defender
"...If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" (Rom. 8:31, NLT)
That little word, for, is packed with meaning! It is the Greek word huper. It means, "...for one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit (one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend...)" What a powerful insight in one tiny word: God is your Defender and Shield.
Just as Nehemiah knew his enemies had no real power when God was for him, you too can have that same confidence. You are not at risk of being overpowered, for if God is for you, who can ever be against you? God who made the promise is faithful and stands with you in your service for Him.
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Helen Calder
Enliven Ministries
Email:Â helen@enlivenpublishing.com
Website:Â www.enlivenpublishing.com
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries, in the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of prophetic ministry, discernment and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and Malcolm have been married for 37 years and are at home in Planetshakers Church, Melbourne, Australia.
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