Do it AFRAID
PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE
“Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:3 NLT
“ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of Heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 NLT
“Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Nehemiah 2:1-2 NLT
“…Then I was terrified…” Nehemiah 2:2 NLT
“…I was terrified, but I replied” Nehemiah 2:2-3 NLT
A NERVOUS FEELING IS A GOOD THING
“Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” Nehemiah 2:3-4 NLT
“With a prayer to the God of Heaven, I replied… “ Nehemiah 2:4-5 NLT
WE PRAY
“The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.” Luke 12:12 MSG
GOD WILL PROVIDE THE COURAGE IF HE GAVE YOU THE CALL
Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:11-12 NLT
“If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked “how long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.” Nehemiah 2:5-6 NLT
“I also said to the king, “if it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.” Nehemiah 2:7 NLT
“And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself…” Nehemiah 2:8 NLT
WHEN WE OPERATE USING GOD’S COURAGE WE ALLOW BOLDNESS TO OVERCOME OUR FEAR
“…and the king granted these requests because the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah 2:8 NLT
- WE SHOULD BE DOING THINGS THAT MAKE US AFRAID
- WE SHOULD BE DOING THINGS THAT REQUIRE THE HAND OF GOD
“IF YOU’RE BIG ENOUGH FOR YOUR DREAM, YOUR DREAM ISN’T BIG ENOUGH FOR GOD!” – MARK BATTERSON
GOD CHOSE YOU FOR THE DREAM HE PUT INSIDE YOU
IF GOD CALLED YOU TO IT HE WILL EQUIP YOU THROUGH IT
- WE SHOULD SPEAK WHEN AFRAID
“…I was terrified, but I replied” Nehemiah 2:2-3 NLT
DON’T LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM WALKING IN OBEDIENCE