TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Nehemiah 2:2b-3
Read: Nehemiah 2:1-5
Listen: Nehemiah 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Nehemiah is the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He works directly with the notoriously volatile leader of the greatest nation on earth, and Nehemiah is afraid. Showing sadness in the presence of Eastern royalty could bring dire consequences. But Nehemiah drops his guard, despite his fears. It is a big risk, but the task is too important. It’s the right thing to do and he will be faithful. He knows God is with him and prays as he takes the step amid his fear.
Fear can paralyze us. Fear can prevent us from performing our most important tasks if we let it. Nehemiah shows us we can have confidence our God is with us in the uncontrollable and fear-filled situations we face. When we feel like God is calling us to rebuild, we don’t need to let fear stop us from moving. This might be a parent who is afraid, prays and has a difficult conversation with a child. It could mean praying and telling a trusted friend about what’s really been going on and asking for help. We don’t know how these situations will turn out, but we can be confident God is with us when we courageously do the right thing.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Memorize Joshua 1:9. Commit this verse to memory and be ready to recall it when fear threatens to keep you from your most important tasks. Consider writing it down on a notecard or on your mobile device and keep it with you as you go about your day. May this verse remind you that our God is with you just as he was with Joshua and Nehemiah.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
