This episode addresses the final weapon of the enemy to derail the work of God through Nehemiah by way of a false prophet. The "prophet" uttered words designed to so frighten Nehemiah that he would take matters into his own hands and "sin accordingly." When the enemy fails to frustrate ministry using diversions and slander, he sometimes employs carnal believers to provoke us to "protect" the work of God with our own efforts, based on fear. Believers, like Nehemiah, should reject the enemy's devices that inspire fear, even when coming through trusted believers. The recipe is again the same for all the schemes of the devil: regular intimate time with the Father who alone delivers us out of all our fears.
When you’re Afraid Remember the Lord
Coming from Nehemiah 4:11-14, this episode provides a model for overcoming fear amidst opposition to God's purposes in our lives. When threatened with death by "vision-killers," Nehemiah encouraged his compatriots, "Do not be afraid of them, remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers.." When believers experience discouragement and fear because of their aggressive embrace of the kingdom, they join in the "fellowship of sufferings" that old and new testament saints experience. And all endured opposition and fulfilled their calling by remembering the Lord Who is great and awesome.