When it comes to acting on the divine burdens God has given us, whatever they may be, courage is essential. You see, as we set out to act on these burdens, the enemy will often make us fearful. Whether he causes opposition, fatigue, or feelings of inadequacy, he will use the fear that comes from these things to tempt us to step back and hold back from doing something about the burdens He gives us. Instead of fear, we must choose courage, knowing that God has given us our divine burdens for a reason and that He will walk with us every step of the way as we act on them.
Nehemiah exhibited great courage, refusing to give in to fear in Nehemiah 6 as he worked toward rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. As Jerusalem's walls neared completion, opposition increased. A man named Shemaiah, who Nehemiah's enemies had hired to intimidate him, said to Nehemiah, "Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight" (verse 10). Even when his life was threatened, Nehemiah refused to give in to fear. He replied to Shemaiah, "Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won't do it!" (verse 11). Nehemiah was courageous. He believed in the task God had called him to and did not let anything—not even intimidating threats on his life—keep him from completing it.
We would do well to follow Nehemiah’s example of courage. After all, when God gives us a burden, we can walk confidently, knowing He will walk with us through it. We can say along with the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 13, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (verse 6).
When it comes to the task God has called you to, have you felt fearful, either from opposing threats or feelings of inadequacy? I encourage you, friend, to choose courage. Hold fast to the promise that the Lord is with you, and, as a result, you do not have to fear.
Pray the words of Hebrews 13:6 today. Let this verse be a reminder to you that God is with you and will help you. As a result, you have no reason to fear. Walk boldly and confidently in this truth today.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
1Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.
10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.
20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
22 I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings.
25 May God’s grace be with you all.
