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NEHEMIAH 4:14

"THE CURE FOR FEAR"

Intro: The word fear again illustrates the incompleteness of the English language. There is
       a fear that is good, we are told to fear the Lord, there is that wise  precaution,
       there is a fear that is evil.

I. "BE NOT YE AFRAID."
        A. There was a real basis for fear.
                1. Their enemies had conspired against them.
                2. They were planning a sneak attack.
                3. They had been working so hard their strength was sapped.
        B. Yet God's servant was saying "be not ye afraid."
                1. The work of God was in danger of being stopped, because of fear.
                2. Satan often uses fear to keep you from attempting a work for God.
                        a. If you once step out in faith, then he will use fear to try to stop
                           you.
                        b. ln any situation you can figure out a hundred reasons how it could
                           fail.
                                1. What if?
                                2. Satan knows all 100 and uses them.
                3. How often God's work is hindered because of fear.
                        a. God wants to work in your life but you are afraid to trust Him 
                           completely.
        C. Many times we have a true basis for fear.
                1. Many times we don't.
                        a. We just concoct imaginary evils.
                2. There are real hazards.
                3. There are real causes for fear.
                4. You may be facing some real hazards this week yet God is saying "fear not."
        D. Sometimes that can be the most frustrating counsel.
                1. Here you are scared to death & someone says,
                        a. "Don't be afraid."
                        b. "That might be easy for you to say, because you're not standing
                            where I'm standing. "
        E. Sometimes it can be a damning counsel.
                1. Someone is seeking to urge you to do evil.
                        a. "Don't be a chicken."
        F. By itself it is not good counsel, so Nehemiah added: "Be not afraid of them."

II. "REMEMBER THE LORD."
        A. Remember the Lord loves you.
                1. If you call on Him, He will answer.
                2. Ifyoucommit, He will keep.
                3. If you trust, Hewill not fail.
        B. Our problem is that our problem overwhelms us and we forget the Lord.
                1. We begin to measure by our own strength.
                2. We begin to reckon by our own abilities.
        C. Remember the power of our Lord.
                1. He stretched out this giant universe like a curtain and measures it with
                   His span.
                2. He weighs the waters in His palm.
                3. This was all the work of His fingers.
                        a. "Underneath are the everlasting Arms."
        D. Remember the concern of our Lord, He cares for you.
                1. One thing Jesus emphasized, the care of  the Father for His creation.
                        a. Conscious of'every sparrow that falls.
                        b. Feeds the birds.
                        c. Waters the forests.
                        d. Paints the flowers, and clothes them.
                2. Now they are just His creation, how much more does He care for His own 
                   children.
        "Be not afraid, remember the Lord"