What is the Price of Fear?

What is the price of fear? What happens if I respond to the fear of what people think or might do? Nehemiah faced this question when he went to Jerusalem to rebuild the city after the captivity of Judah. As they rebuilt the wall there was a constant threat of persecution from those who opposed their efforts. The threat of persecution did not strike fear into Nehemiah because the unity of the people brought protection the enemy could not press through. There are many great things that can be stated about God’s people when they have unity.

Since that didn’t work, Nehemiah’s enemy tried one more time to trick him into acting out of character by way of the weapon of fear. They tried to make him flee for his life. Nehemiah recorded that “they were trying to make us afraid.” (Neh. 6:9) Nehemiah knew if he responded to their threats, which were completely empty by the way, they would succeed in keeping him, and ultimately the rest of Judah, from their appointed task. It was imperative that Nehemiah not react to their threat. So he prayed, “Oh God, strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:9) Nehemiah was driven, not by pride, but by purpose. This purpose was given to him by God to complete a work that was necessary for God’s plan to be realized in the life of His people.

So many of us in the church face the type of fear Nehemiah did. Not death, but fear of what people may say or do. When you find yourself in this situation, how will you respond? Some are given tasks to do within the church. The tasks are realized through God given (placed) desires within their hearts and minds. Psalm 37:4 explains this. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 145:19 states “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him.” (Emphasis mine) But, many, crippled by fear of what people may say or think never follow these God given desires and God then must find someone else to carry out His plan for His people; or maybe His plan will not be carried out at all.

Just as Nehemiah was driven by purpose we must be as well. Also, as in Nehemiah’s life, our task is not driven by pride, but, by our God given purpose. When we have a healthy respect for who God is (fear), then we need not fear what others may say or think. Many times, when we work through our fear and follow God we find as Nehemiah did; there was nothing to fear at all.