Nehemiah 6:9 - “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
The adversaries of Nehemiah and the returning remnant were relentless. Each time one tactic failed, they tried another, but their goal remained the same: to halt the work of God. Fear was their primary weapon, and though Nehemiah and his people felt fear at times, they pressed on.
Fear is one of the enemy's most effective tools. As one person has said, for the child of God, fear is faith in a lie—it’s choosing to believe what the enemy says over what God has declared. We see this vividly in the actions of Sanballat and Tobiah, who claimed to want a diplomatic meeting with Nehemiah, when in truth, they sought to stop the work. They even went as far as hiring a prophet to falsely claim that Nehemiah intended to make himself king. Lies, though they’re not true, often hold the power to instill fear in us.
When we’re gripped by fear, our strength wanes. Work that once felt easy suddenly feels overwhelming, and our minds become crowded with “what if” thoughts. What if this lie spreads? What if this plan fails? Our focus shifts from God’s faithfulness to the threats around us, and our strength falters. This is why Scripture so often reminds us, “Fear not,” “Be not afraid,” and “Be courageous.” Fear weakens faith, and without faith, it’s impossible to please God.
So, what should we do when we’re afraid? Nehemiah shows us the way. Notice his simple prayer at the end of this verse: “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” This wasn’t a lengthy prayer; it may have been one he whispered as he laid bricks or watched over the work. His example reminds us that our prayers don’t need to be elaborate or lengthy to reach God’s heart. I imagine Nehemiah repeated this prayer whenever he felt fear creeping in.
This should be our practice as well. When fear takes hold, don’t delay. Before your hands drop in weakness, before your heart sinks in despair, ask God for strength. Whether on the job, in the classroom, or out in the world, whisper Nehemiah’s prayer: “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” Even in his short prayers, Nehemiah teaches us just as much as he does in his longer prayers.
In Conclusion, fear is a reality for every Christian who sets out to do something for God. Your work will be criticized, your intentions questioned, and lies will circulate about you. But no matter how the enemy attacks, remember that his goal is fear leading to failure. Keep building, and keep praying. Whisper it as you lay another brick, as you strengthen those around you, as you labor through a difficult day or a quiet night watch: “O God, strengthen my hands.”
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