EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DESTROYER
I don’t have to tell you that fear is an equal opportunity destroyer. It doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are, almost every human on the planet has experienced the taunting terror of fear at some point. I often share my testimony of overcoming oppressive fear — one of the most terrifying seasons I’ve gone through. Still, how many of you know that the manifestation of fear is a singular symptom, it’s not the syndrome? In other words, the experience of fear only exposes that something more is going on beneath the surface, and it’s often connected to a deeper critical issue.
1 John 4:18 says that fear is connected to punishment, and “those who fear have not been perfected in love.” What does this mean? It means that when we lose trust in the truth that God is perfecting us with perfect love, not punishment, we expose the fractured walls of our heart to the enemy of our soul, giving that foul fiend access to torment us.
PROPHETIC INSIGHTS FROM NEHEMIAH
I liken the process of repairing our weary soul after an enemy invasion to Nehemiah's testimony , who has a lot to teach us about restoration, supernatural fortification, and strategically utilizing strength that’s found in community. Through the hands of Nehemiah and with the sands of Jerusalem, God reveals prophetic keys to how He builds within us today and protects us from our enemies. Here are 4 prophetic insights that will impart radical restoration to your soul as well as train you in the art of warfare:
1. Nehemiah’s name means Comforter. Like Nehemiah who God sent to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, Our Father sends us the Comforter—the Holy Spirit who sets up within our heart a place of residence, He gives us wisdom to build up walls of protection (healthy boundaries) and discernment on who and what get’s access to our heart. Isaiah 60:18 says, “you will call your walls salvation, and your gates praise.” It’s in these moments of spiritual refuge that the Holy Spirit offers comfort and exposes enemy access points to your heart. One tactical way you can force the presence of fear to retreat is by getting in the presence of the Comforter.
2. Nehemiah refused to be reduced by fear. We can glean from Nehemiah’s story that he felt fear but moved forward with the impossible task that was set before him. Listen, if I asked you today, what would you do if you were 10 times bolder? If your answer is anything besides what you’re doing now, then I hate to break it to you but you’ve been reduced by fear. Believers, we are called to be courageous! We are called to walk with the Spirit of the Living God in such a way that hell is scared straight out of us!
Some of you reading this now have been tossed around by the throes of life. You feel powerless, exposed and vulnerable, and altogether insecure, and you’re unable to see any true way forward . I want to encourage you now that you are not a victim, and the Holy Spirit will restore you. If you learn anything from Nehemiah, it’s that with God by your side, you will learn to thrive in the presence of your enemies!
3. Nehemiah identified the low and exposed places. When Nehemiah surveyed the decimated walls of Jerusalem, he saw the low and the exposed places where the enemy might easily gain access. He strategically set guards in these areas as they began to rebuild. Being aware of the tactics that the enemy uses to come against you and acknowledging your vulnerabilities (the low and exposed places) is vital to your victory.
A low place is any area in life that you’ve been tempted yet never given in to. For example, maybe you’ve been tempted by porn but you’ve never looked at it. Exposing our low areas to those we trust will bring us profound strength.
An exposed place is where you’ve given in to temptation. It’s a direct access point for the enemy to attack you and bring unsurmountable pain and torment into your life. This is an area where you need to be strategic and assign outside muscle. Don’t appoint people in the low and exposed places of your life who enable you. When seeking accountability you don’t need mercy, you need strength! Find someone who will slap you into wisdom! How do you know you’ve found the right person to hold you accountable? You will feel a little nervous about confessing your sin to that person.
4. Nehemiah worked inside of community, never outside of it. You want to conquer fear ? Surround yourself with people who call you out and up and help you rebuild. Nehemiah assigned entire families that had unique strengths to specific sections of the wall. Under the guidance of God and Nehemiah’s leadership, Jerusalem’s city walls were rebuilt in only 52 days. A Spirit-led community can accomplish impossible things together. My son Jason puts it like this, “ I've found many circumstances that were greater than me but I’ve never found a circumstance that was greater than my family. ”
In closing, I want to declare Isaiah 54:14 over you: “ In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. ” I’m convinced that when we experience fear, we need an encounter with the perfect love of God who is found in His word, in His promises to us, and in His people. I encourage you today to draw near to Him as He will establish you in ALL WAYS .
