One For Israel - Stand Against Fear

February 7, 2026 | 27:29

Join Dr. Erez Soref in Why Israel?—a powerful eight-part journey through the greatest love story ever told: God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His invitation to the nations. This profound love still transforms lives today.

#Israel #Bible #BibleHistory #Fear #Faith #JewishHistory #Messiah #ErezSoref

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| One For Israel - Stand Against Fear | February 7, 2026

Standing against fear
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Isn't just a statement.
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Many times we need to make real preparation
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And take real steps.
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Once you face a crisis, really,
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It's too late to start preparing.
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I need to be strong,
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And he surrounded me with his presence,
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And i just don't feel fear.
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Fear isolates.
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Faith rallies together.
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I am dr. erez soref.
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I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
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But i never heard the gospel message
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Until on a journey abroad,
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My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
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From that point,
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My life has been dedicated
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To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
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Equipping them to reach israel
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And the world.
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Together, as jews and gentiles,
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We are one in messiah, one for israel.
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Fear is one of our most primal emotions.
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Without it, we wouldn't have
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The caution that allows us
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To survive.
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Fear helps us avoid things
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That could be deadly,
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Like poisonous snakes or dangerous hikes.
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Here in israel, we often have sirens
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That warn us of incoming missile attacks.
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These sirens are designed to evoke alarm
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And compel the population to go to a safe space.
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Fear can help us to be aware of real danger,
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But it can also paralyze, discourage,
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And intimidate us into backing down
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From our god-given vision.
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Today, we will be looking
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At how nehemiah countered this fear
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When it threatened his vision.
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Join us as we walk the walls with nehemiah
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And learn how to stand against fear.
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Nehemiah had led the people of israel
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In building the walls to defend jerusalem.
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Everyone had gathered together in unity,
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From the greatest to the smallest,
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Doing their part to accomplish this task.
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They were making progress.
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The wall reached about half its height
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When suddenly opposition arose.
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When something has been born in the heart of god,
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The enemy works his hardest to take that thing down.
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He'll often try to derail god's plans
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In the earliest stages.
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We see this in the life of yeshua
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When herod tried to kill him as a baby.
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But if stopping the plan in its infancy doesn't work,
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Satan will also attack in the middle,
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Just when things are gaining momentum.
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When yeshua had been recognized publicly
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As god's son at his baptism,
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He was immediately tempted by satan.
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Satan wanted to derail god's great plan in yeshua
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Just when momentum was gaining.
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God actually allows these attacks.
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It was the spirit that led yeshua
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To the wilderness to be tested.
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And god will sometimes lead us
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To a place where our faith can be tried.
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But 1 corinthians 10:13 says
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That god will not lead us to be tempted
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Beyond what we can bear.
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But when we are tempted, he provides a way out
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So that we can stand up.
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It's often in the middle of our progress
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When we will be faced with testing,
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And we will need to make a stand.
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Satan's strategy is often to try and knock us down
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While we are gaining momentum.
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Since discouragement at this point
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Can have a far greater impact.
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It's like crashing a car going 80 versus 5.
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Both accidents will stop the car,
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But one will absolutely demolish it.
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If satan can't stop you from getting started,
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He will try to stop you when you are accelerating.
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It was when he was gaining momentum
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That nehemiah's enemies conspired against him.
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The enemy roars when the wall is half built.
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Nehemiah records:
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Paul tells us that we wrestle
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Not against flesh and blood,
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But against satan and his angels.
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Unfortunately, what we see on earth
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Is the people that satan uses,
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Often without them realizing it.
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Why does satan attack?
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In nehemiah, israel's enemies were angry.
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Our enemy is also angry.
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Revelation 12 speaks of satan's end-time rampage:
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Our enemy rages because he is nervous.
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Our king is coming,
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And we will stand in victory.
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And satan is angry,
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So he channels his anger into intimidation.
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He will ridicule and gaslight us
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Into thinking that we have not really heard
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From god correctly.
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He questioned eve in the garden.
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Did god really say?
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Or he often tries to manipulate,
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Tricking us into thinking that our god
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Is not as big as he really is.
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Fear is the devil's favorite demolition tool.
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Conflict is inevitable.
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If you keep this in mind,
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You'll be prepared for the battle ahead.
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In nehemiah's case, his enemies began
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To ridicule the jews working on the wall
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In order to discourage them.
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He writes:
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They mocked in order to discourage the people.
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And in fact, the people did get discouraged.
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Then, to make matters worse,
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The enemies conspired to attack the builders
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While they were tired and down.
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Our enemy doesn't play fair.
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He's a roaring lion,
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Seeking who he may devour.
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He will attack when you are tired,
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Despaired, and alone.
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He will use intimidation, lies, and fear
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To get you to quit.
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Don't you think that because a vision is from god,
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That it will come easy.
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Today in israel, we face intimidation and fear
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From the nations around us.
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Many here are tempted to give in to discouragement.
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Some even seek to give in to our enemies' demands.
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But true leaders expect conflict
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And keep their eyes on the vision.
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When opposition arises,
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Fear can lead us to start taking things
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Into our own hands, acting in the flesh.
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Sometimes the enemy can plant seeds of self-doubt
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And condemnation.
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For some leaders, they may dig in
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With their own strength,
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Refusing to see their own imperfections,
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Receive counsel, or go to god.
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Sometimes fear drives leaders to criticize their team
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And create a culture of mistrust.
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Don't let fear drive you into the flesh.
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Instead, let's look at how nehemiah met the threat,
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How did he stand against fear.
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Today, as israel faces conflict after conflict,
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Here, in this place,
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We found peace in the prince of peace.
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One for israel is a ministry
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Of jewish and arab israeli followers of jesus,
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Bringing the gospel back to israel,
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Equipping believers in israel to reach the world.
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Paul prophesied about this awakening,
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And we're living in the midst of it.
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Our outreach team is shipping bibles
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And answering questions from israeli seekers
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On a daily basis.
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And we need your partnership
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To bring the most precious gift, the gospel,
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To our people in israel.
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The best way to bless israel is with jesus.
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As paul stated in romans 15,
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You have shared in the blessing of our messiah.
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It's imperative that the church partners
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With the saints in israel to bring that blessing.
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So will you join us in these historic times
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And help us bring hope and comfort to israel
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With the prince of peace.
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With the prince of peace.
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At the beginning of the book,
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Nehemiah first heard the report
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On the poor state of jerusalem.
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And he went into a time of intense prayer four months
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Before he took action.
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Now, when nehemiah is facing the threats of his enemies,
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He cries out to god again:
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Think of peter and the disciples.
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After receiving the threats from the chief priests,
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They were ordered never to preach the gospel.
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They responded to those threats with prayer.
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Now, lord, consider their threats
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And enable your servants to speak your word
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With great boldness.
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Sounds a lot like nehemiah's prayer.
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The same intimidation tactic was used in the book of acts
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As it was used by nehemiah's opponents.
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Those supposed authorities
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Contradicted god's direct command.
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But at every step of the way, nehemiah prayed.
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We don't ever stop needing god
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To accomplish his vision.
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We don't eventually figure out how to do it
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Without god's help.
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Psalm 91 tells us that for those who dwell
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In the shelter of the most high,
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They will not fear the arrow by day
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Or terror by night.
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Nehemiah continued to pray and use god-given wisdom
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To take practical steps against fear.
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He writes:
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Nehemiah did not respond
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To his enemy's threats and accusations.
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He simply turned to god and called on his help.
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Nehemiah didn't try to reason with his enemies
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Or argue with them.
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He barely engaged with them at all.
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He had little regard for their power
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And he had tremendous regard for god's.
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He prayed
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And then he took the practical step
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Of setting a guard to protect and steward the work.
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First prayer and then action.
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Your mind just doesn't comprehend
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That this is reality.
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That everything happened this way.
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Our neighbor, the whole family was murdered.
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The whole family, her, her husband
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And two girls were murdered.
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In one second our entire lives
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Turned upside down in such a drastic way
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That you just can't grasp it.
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It was the day before, friday.
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We were preparing for a celebration
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Of 70 years on the kibbutz.
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We went to sleep with such excitement
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For tomorrow.
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6 in the morning,
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We jump up in our beds from the terrible sound
00:12:31.644 --> 00:12:34.480
"red alert, red alert, red alert."
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Just like that, without cease, without cease,
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Without cease.
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Boom, boom, boom, boom.
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After a few minutes, when it stops for a second,
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We jump up quickly, close the windows
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And run to the second safe room.
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I sit down, look at my phone
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And i understand that something terrible is happening.
00:12:51.764 --> 00:12:55.301
Not just rockets, not just mortar bombs
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Falling on the whole country,
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There was also a terrorist infiltration
00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:02.108
On the entire border of gaza.
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We lift our hands,
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Abba (dad), what is happening?
00:13:06.946 --> 00:13:09.249
Bless us, bless our nation,
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Bless our army, you know what is going on.
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And i ask from god that he would hide us,
00:13:15.521 --> 00:13:18.191
That he would confuse the terrorists
00:13:18.191 --> 00:13:20.493
So they can't carry out their plans,
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That he would destroy their plans.
00:13:22.462 --> 00:13:24.931
After that, i felt
00:13:25.365 --> 00:13:28.268
That god did something special with me.
00:13:28.268 --> 00:13:31.204
Suddenly, i felt that i am on duty in the army
00:13:31.204 --> 00:13:34.474
And now i need to turn off all my emotions.
00:13:34.474 --> 00:13:38.378
I don't feel, i need to function.
00:13:38.378 --> 00:13:40.880
I need to be strong.
00:13:41.347 --> 00:13:44.083
And he surrounded me with his presence,
00:13:44.918 --> 00:13:48.688
And i just don't feel fear.
00:13:48.688 --> 00:13:50.924
That was an absolute miracle for me.
00:13:50.924 --> 00:13:54.127
At that time, people started sending me messages.
00:13:54.127 --> 00:13:56.362
So i tell them: please pray,
00:13:56.362 --> 00:13:58.798
There are terrorists here.
00:13:58.798 --> 00:14:01.200
After we had already left and a few days went by,
00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.870
I saw just how many people these messages had reached.
00:14:03.870 --> 00:14:07.807
The spiritual army of the lord,
00:14:07.807 --> 00:14:10.209
My big family here in the land
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And all around the world,
00:14:12.378 --> 00:14:13.947
They just got up and began to war.
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That's his army.
00:14:17.717 --> 00:14:19.319
And the lord told me later on,
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To all my children, i am drafting them
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Into my army.
00:14:24.290 --> 00:14:25.491
There is no more time to sleep.
00:14:25.491 --> 00:14:27.393
You need to take up your weapon and fight over israel.
00:14:27.393 --> 00:14:31.197
You need to stay alert.
00:14:31.197 --> 00:14:34.233
At 11 in the morning, we see on our camera,
00:14:35.168 --> 00:14:38.705
They're coming in.
00:14:38.705 --> 00:14:40.039
I move to the floor,
00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.307
I sit in the corner next to the closet,
00:14:41.307 --> 00:14:43.876
And i say quietly:
00:14:43.876 --> 00:14:45.578
Please pray,
00:14:45.578 --> 00:14:46.713
The terrorists are inside our house.
00:14:46.713 --> 00:14:49.015
So i write: let's pray, let's repent,
00:14:49.015 --> 00:14:50.850
Because again, it's very important to pray
00:14:50.850 --> 00:14:52.885
And to ask for forgiveness,
00:14:52.885 --> 00:14:54.387
And if something happens now,
00:14:54.387 --> 00:14:56.489
You will know for certain that we will meet in heaven.
00:14:56.489 --> 00:14:59.459
And i see that my children starting to write,
00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:02.061
My eldest son, he writes:
00:15:02.061 --> 00:15:03.997
Mom, i love you, dad, we love you both.
00:15:03.997 --> 00:15:06.766
And yoni says: mom, what are we going to do?
00:15:06.766 --> 00:15:08.835
I said: everything is okay.
00:15:08.835 --> 00:15:10.937
God is with us.
00:15:10.937 --> 00:15:12.405
And he continues to write:
00:15:12.405 --> 00:15:13.740
Please be with me, be in touch with me.
00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:16.376
I said: everything is okay, breathe.
00:15:16.376 --> 00:15:18.511
I see them and i sort of feel them
00:15:18.511 --> 00:15:20.380
Getting closer to the door,
00:15:20.380 --> 00:15:22.115
And for a moment, i felt, okay, this is it,
00:15:22.115 --> 00:15:24.384
They're going to enter, break through the door,
00:15:24.384 --> 00:15:26.319
And they're going to shoot us.
00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:28.421
So i thought, okay, they'll shoot
00:15:28.421 --> 00:15:29.822
And then we'll go straight to heaven.
00:15:29.822 --> 00:15:32.225
For just a moment,
00:15:32.225 --> 00:15:33.159
I felt the moment of leaving
00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:35.228
This world,
00:15:35.228 --> 00:15:36.462
But the other part of me felt, how can this be?
00:15:36.462 --> 00:15:39.298
You are his daughter, a daughter of god.
00:15:39.298 --> 00:15:41.734
All these years, he told me, you stay here,
00:15:41.734 --> 00:15:44.604
You'll be faithful and i will be faithful.
00:15:44.604 --> 00:15:47.407
All these words, all his promises
00:15:47.407 --> 00:15:49.776
That he gave through his word,
00:15:49.776 --> 00:15:51.611
I simply declare his words.
00:15:51.611 --> 00:15:53.379
I said all of these things and i felt it working.
00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:57.917
We see on the camera,
00:15:58.418 --> 00:16:00.019
They start opening the doors.
00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.854
They open doors of room on the way,
00:16:01.854 --> 00:16:04.524
Closets, everything.
00:16:04.524 --> 00:16:06.292
They're approaching.
00:16:06.292 --> 00:16:07.393
We hear them coming towards our room.
00:16:07.393 --> 00:16:09.462
We can hear them,
00:16:09.896 --> 00:16:11.631
But they don't touch the door.
00:16:12.298 --> 00:16:14.200
We wait for them to start to
00:16:14.834 --> 00:16:17.103
Try to open the door,
00:16:17.603 --> 00:16:19.338
And silence, nothing happens.
00:16:19.338 --> 00:16:22.809
They do not touch the door.
00:16:22.809 --> 00:16:24.243
What is this?
00:16:24.610 --> 00:16:26.779
Only after we had already left
00:16:25.812 --> 00:16:28.581
And some time had passed,
00:16:28.581 --> 00:16:30.183
I kept going over and over it
00:16:30.183 --> 00:16:32.251
And saying to myself, what was that?
00:16:32.251 --> 00:16:34.687
And i saw how they came right up to the door
00:16:34.687 --> 00:16:38.024
And it's like they didn't see it.
00:16:38.024 --> 00:16:40.059
They saw a white wall there, but didn't see the door.
00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:43.563
God's presence was so strong,
00:16:43.563 --> 00:16:46.132
The fear of god,
00:16:46.132 --> 00:16:47.467
I think it just so completely engulfed them
00:16:47.467 --> 00:16:51.270
That they didn't succeed,
00:16:51.270 --> 00:16:52.371
They didn't manage to do anything.
00:16:52.371 --> 00:16:53.973
It's like they were disoriented.
00:16:53.973 --> 00:16:56.109
Even when they left, they forgot their bullets.
00:16:56.109 --> 00:16:59.212
The entire case of bullets they forgot on our table.
00:16:59.212 --> 00:17:02.849
I thought, wow.
00:17:02.849 --> 00:17:05.551
Only at 2 p.m. the first soldiers arrived.
00:17:06.419 --> 00:17:09.021
They entered our home and suddenly we hear hebrew.
00:17:09.021 --> 00:17:11.657
Wow, what a great joy it was.
00:17:11.657 --> 00:17:13.993
First they scanned the house and only afterwards
00:17:13.993 --> 00:17:16.696
They allowed us to go outside.
00:17:16.696 --> 00:17:18.731
They didn't succeed.
00:17:19.198 --> 00:17:20.867
How can you explain this?
00:17:21.434 --> 00:17:23.503
There was a great miracle here.
00:17:24.237 --> 00:17:30.309
Nehemiah prayed,
00:17:30.676 --> 00:17:32.311
Took action and prepared for a crisis.
00:17:32.311 --> 00:17:35.214
But the people were still discouraged and afraid.
00:17:35.214 --> 00:17:38.784
Next, we will look at how nehemiah pastored
00:17:38.784 --> 00:17:41.754
And led his people during times of crisis,
00:17:41.754 --> 00:17:44.991
Teaching them how to stand against fear.
00:17:44.991 --> 00:17:51.030
Discover how you can pick up bricks
00:17:51.797 --> 00:17:54.700
And build with god.
00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.536
Order our new book today,
00:17:56.536 --> 00:17:58.604
"walking the walls with nehemiah"
00:17:58.604 --> 00:18:00.806
And awaken god's vision in your life.
00:18:00.806 --> 00:18:03.709
Available in print, audible and kindle.
00:18:03.709 --> 00:18:12.010
Available in print, audible and kindle.
00:18:12.010 --> 00:18:17.593
Nehemiah's workers were exasperated.
00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:21.597
They felt the task was too much for them.
00:18:21.597 --> 00:18:24.166
The fear of attack was on every side.
00:18:24.166 --> 00:18:27.102
They were tired, hungry and overwhelmed.
00:18:27.102 --> 00:18:30.306
When we step out to serve god,
00:18:30.306 --> 00:18:32.975
There will be times when we feel it's too hard.
00:18:32.975 --> 00:18:36.445
We don't have the strength or skills required.
00:18:36.445 --> 00:18:39.481
Fatigue and weakness can cause us
00:18:39.481 --> 00:18:41.650
To lose the spiritual perspective.
00:18:41.650 --> 00:18:43.886
But god uses our very weakness
00:18:43.886 --> 00:18:46.488
As assurance that he is with us.
00:18:46.488 --> 00:18:49.325
When we follow him and his kingdom purposes,
00:18:49.325 --> 00:18:52.394
He calls us to do things
00:18:52.394 --> 00:18:54.296
That we can't do in our own strength.
00:18:54.296 --> 00:18:56.665
He calls us to a vision beyond our own capability
00:18:56.665 --> 00:19:00.236
So that he gets the glory.
00:19:00.236 --> 00:19:02.338
He calls us to do great exploits
00:19:02.338 --> 00:19:04.473
That are impossible without him.
00:19:04.473 --> 00:19:06.709
And then he does the impossible.
00:19:06.709 --> 00:19:09.311
Nehemiah saw the disillusionment in his people.
00:19:09.311 --> 00:19:12.548
He heard about the enemy's plan to attack his workers
00:19:12.548 --> 00:19:15.784
While they were distracted, discouraged and spread thin.
00:19:15.784 --> 00:19:19.521
He knew the people were losing heart
00:19:19.521 --> 00:19:21.590
And some workers wanted to go back to their villages.
00:19:21.590 --> 00:19:24.693
There were big open sections of the wall
00:19:24.693 --> 00:19:26.996
Where some workers worked alone, exposed and isolated.
00:19:26.996 --> 00:19:31.634
Nehemiah recognized the real isolation his people felt.
00:19:31.634 --> 00:19:35.404
So he stationed men with weapons
00:19:35.404 --> 00:19:37.673
To protect these vulnerable spots.
00:19:37.673 --> 00:19:40.476
If there was a threat, watchmen would blow the trumpet
00:19:40.476 --> 00:19:43.712
And everyone would rally to the vulnerable person.
00:19:43.712 --> 00:19:46.815
Even if it meant that the work progressed slower,
00:19:46.815 --> 00:19:49.852
Nehemiah knew his vision would come as a result
00:19:49.852 --> 00:19:52.988
Of true unity, protecting the weak and vulnerable.
00:19:52.988 --> 00:19:57.459
Nehemiah writes:
00:19:57.459 --> 00:20:08.370
Today we are with sisi soref,
00:20:09.004 --> 00:20:11.740
The leader of women's ministry here at one for israel
00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:15.177
And my beloved wife.
00:20:15.177 --> 00:20:17.346
We're going to discuss what it looks like
00:20:17.346 --> 00:20:19.848
To build community during crisis.
00:20:19.848 --> 00:20:23.118
Sisi, thank you for joining me today.
00:20:23.118 --> 00:20:25.187
It's a pleasure. -we have been leading one for israel
00:20:25.187 --> 00:20:26.922
And been involved in the israeli body of the messiah
00:20:26.922 --> 00:20:29.591
For many years together.
00:20:29.591 --> 00:20:31.260
You've also been teaching a course on nehemiah
00:20:31.260 --> 00:20:33.896
In the women leadership program that you have led.
00:20:33.896 --> 00:20:36.799
And so today i want to ask you
00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:38.934
Questions and discuss a little bit
00:20:38.934 --> 00:20:40.169
About community during crisis.
00:20:40.169 --> 00:20:43.439
And specifically, you know, we talk about crisis.
00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:46.608
How can we prepare for crisis,
00:20:46.608 --> 00:20:49.111
Both as leaders and lay people?
00:20:49.111 --> 00:20:51.246
Once you face a crisis, really,
00:20:51.246 --> 00:20:53.949
It's too late to start preparing.
00:20:53.949 --> 00:20:55.984
Yeah. -so preparation has to be an ongoing thing.
00:20:55.984 --> 00:21:00.222
Ongoing preparation is really understanding who we are.
00:21:00.222 --> 00:21:04.159
What does that mean? what does that mean,
00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.394
Understanding who we are? -so if we're looking
00:21:05.394 --> 00:21:07.129
At the book of nehemiah,
00:21:07.129 --> 00:21:08.697
The enemies are attacking,
00:21:08.697 --> 00:21:13.001
But nehemiah is giving the vision to the people
00:21:13.001 --> 00:21:15.838
To build the walls
00:21:15.838 --> 00:21:16.939
Because they were living in shame.
00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:19.308
And they said, god will succeed for us
00:21:19.308 --> 00:21:23.445
And we, his servants, will build.
00:21:23.445 --> 00:21:26.915
And so they understood who they are,
00:21:26.915 --> 00:21:29.918
They're servants of the lord.
00:21:29.918 --> 00:21:31.687
So who are we in light of god?
00:21:31.687 --> 00:21:33.655
This is an important thing to remember
00:21:33.655 --> 00:21:36.091
Before crisis hits.
00:21:36.091 --> 00:21:37.926
Crisis is inevitable.
00:21:37.926 --> 00:21:39.328
I mean, it will happen.
00:21:39.328 --> 00:21:40.863
That's one thing we need to remember.
00:21:40.863 --> 00:21:42.531
Crisis will happen in different forms
00:21:42.531 --> 00:21:45.401
And different shapes.
00:21:45.401 --> 00:21:47.102
And so what we need to also be prepared
00:21:47.102 --> 00:21:50.706
Is knowing who your enemy is,
00:21:50.706 --> 00:21:53.709
Know his tactics, and then learn from history.
00:21:53.709 --> 00:21:58.080
You're not in a vacuum, okay?
00:21:58.080 --> 00:22:00.549
There is a whole history behind us
00:22:00.549 --> 00:22:02.718
And we can learn from the word of god
00:22:02.718 --> 00:22:06.255
Many important principles
00:22:06.255 --> 00:22:09.658
In how to stand in times of battles.
00:22:09.658 --> 00:22:13.095
Another part of understanding
00:22:13.729 --> 00:22:16.565
Is not only who we are before god,
00:22:16.565 --> 00:22:19.501
But understanding who has called you.
00:22:19.501 --> 00:22:23.539
Who is behind you?
00:22:23.972 --> 00:22:25.841
Because when you're called...
00:22:25.841 --> 00:22:26.975
Who's got your back?
00:22:26.975 --> 00:22:27.810
Who's got your back, okay?
00:22:27.810 --> 00:22:29.778
If i'm doing something and you got my back,
00:22:29.778 --> 00:22:32.815
I go with confidence, i know erez is behind me,
00:22:32.815 --> 00:22:35.584
Erez told me to do that.
00:22:35.584 --> 00:22:37.386
If i'm doing something that i believe god has called me
00:22:37.386 --> 00:22:40.289
And i'm very certain he did,
00:22:40.289 --> 00:22:42.458
I have confidence even in battle.
00:22:43.192 --> 00:22:46.762
So i want to switch and talk a little bit
00:22:46.762 --> 00:22:48.997
About how communities can deal with isolation
00:22:48.997 --> 00:22:54.203
And the fear that comes out of it.
00:22:54.203 --> 00:22:55.838
Taking cover is crucial.
00:22:55.838 --> 00:22:58.307
And what do i mean taking cover?
00:22:58.307 --> 00:23:00.342
There is no lone wolves.
00:23:00.342 --> 00:23:03.445
When a battle hits,
00:23:03.912 --> 00:23:05.981
One person against the enemy is nothing.
00:23:05.981 --> 00:23:08.717
But when you are united as a team
00:23:08.717 --> 00:23:10.853
And you're united in spirit,
00:23:10.853 --> 00:23:13.522
He can't stand and withhold against it.
00:23:13.522 --> 00:23:16.492
Sisi, i think something very important to discuss
00:23:16.492 --> 00:23:19.795
Is how to discern between normal and healthy fear
00:23:19.795 --> 00:23:24.533
Or caution and paralyzing fear.
00:23:24.533 --> 00:23:27.569
So, paralyzing fear prevents you from building.
00:23:27.569 --> 00:23:32.374
And we see in nehemiah
00:23:32.875 --> 00:23:35.544
That when they knew about the attacks,
00:23:35.544 --> 00:23:38.914
In one hand they continue to build,
00:23:38.914 --> 00:23:41.850
But on the other hand they had swords.
00:23:41.850 --> 00:23:44.887
I believe this is healthy fear,
00:23:44.887 --> 00:23:46.922
Is you realize reality and you don't ignore it.
00:23:46.922 --> 00:23:50.692
So you look reality in the eye.
00:23:50.692 --> 00:23:52.127
You look reality in the eye,
00:23:52.127 --> 00:23:53.462
God is with you,
00:23:53.462 --> 00:23:54.263
And you know that you can
00:23:54.263 --> 00:23:56.498
Handle this situation,
00:23:56.498 --> 00:23:58.767
But you don't sit around waiting for things to happen.
00:23:58.767 --> 00:24:02.538
This is healthy fear.
00:24:02.538 --> 00:24:04.506
Now, paralyzing fear is when the enemy
00:24:04.506 --> 00:24:08.410
Has succeeded to completely dismantle you
00:24:08.410 --> 00:24:12.614
And cause you to stop your work.
00:24:12.614 --> 00:24:14.783
That is paralyzing fear.
00:24:14.783 --> 00:24:16.685
You're not able to continue to do
00:24:16.685 --> 00:24:18.954
What god has called you to do.
00:24:18.954 --> 00:24:20.656
The role of the leader is critical in this situation
00:24:20.656 --> 00:24:23.325
Where encouragement comes in.
00:24:23.325 --> 00:24:25.594
And i think nehemiah was an incredible leader
00:24:25.594 --> 00:24:28.063
Because he knew how to encourage the people
00:24:28.063 --> 00:24:30.999
At the times where they were so weak.
00:24:30.999 --> 00:24:34.736
I'll never forget his words, he says,
00:24:34.736 --> 00:24:37.773
Oh, their enemies are coming from all around,
00:24:37.773 --> 00:24:40.208
And he says...
00:24:40.208 --> 00:24:41.977
They're 10 times than us. -they're 10 times our number.
00:24:41.977 --> 00:24:45.480
Stand each one in your position,
00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:47.516
Remember that you fight for your families,
00:24:47.516 --> 00:24:51.587
Your wives, your sons, your daughters,
00:24:51.587 --> 00:24:54.156
And remember god, the great and almighty god.
00:24:54.156 --> 00:24:56.592
Right. -and that was very inspirational.
00:24:56.592 --> 00:24:59.127
Sisi, thank you so much for taking the time
00:24:59.127 --> 00:25:01.263
And discussing with me how we can stand against fear
00:25:01.263 --> 00:25:04.866
And stay connected in community.
00:25:04.866 --> 00:25:06.802
Pleasure to be here.
00:25:07.269 --> 00:25:08.637
And we want to pray for all of our viewers
00:25:08.637 --> 00:25:11.340
And our listeners.
00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.541
We pray that you will walk
00:25:12.541 --> 00:25:14.376
In the full knowledge of who you are
00:25:14.376 --> 00:25:17.212
In the messiah, in our lord,
00:25:17.212 --> 00:25:19.481
And that you will walk bravely,
00:25:19.481 --> 00:25:22.017
One hand knowing the reality and building,
00:25:22.017 --> 00:25:24.553
On the other hand having the sword of the spirit,
00:25:24.553 --> 00:25:26.855
The word of god,
00:25:26.855 --> 00:25:28.090
And be prepared to stand your ground
00:25:28.090 --> 00:25:30.993
When the trial comes.
00:25:30.993 --> 00:25:32.260
Nehemiah and the people stood against fear
00:25:33.128 --> 00:25:36.198
In unity and in courage.
00:25:36.198 --> 00:25:38.433
He writes:
00:25:38.433 --> 00:26:00.455
The plan of the enemy failed this time.
00:26:01.323 --> 00:26:05.027
As nehemiah assessed the ongoing threat,
00:26:05.027 --> 00:26:07.896
It became an unavoidable reality
00:26:07.896 --> 00:26:10.732
That each man would have to be prepared for war
00:26:10.732 --> 00:26:13.802
At any time.
00:26:13.802 --> 00:26:15.170
They carried a sword while they continued to work.
00:26:15.170 --> 00:26:18.907
Today in israel, we experience this
00:26:18.907 --> 00:26:21.143
In a very real way.
00:26:21.143 --> 00:26:23.011
Many of the men and women
00:26:23.011 --> 00:26:24.613
Who have completed their army service
00:26:24.613 --> 00:26:26.882
Go to school or work.
00:26:26.882 --> 00:26:28.884
Many have families and children.
00:26:28.884 --> 00:26:30.852
Yet, during times of need, especially now,
00:26:30.852 --> 00:26:34.122
They are ready at any time
00:26:34.122 --> 00:26:35.991
To be called up to reserve duty
00:26:35.991 --> 00:26:37.959
In order to defend our people.
00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:40.295
Many of our own staff are ready to go,
00:26:40.295 --> 00:26:42.931
Often at a moment's notice.
00:26:42.931 --> 00:26:45.333
With one hand they work,
00:26:45.333 --> 00:26:46.768
And with one hand they are ready to defend.
00:26:46.768 --> 00:26:49.738
Standing against fear isn't just a statement.
00:26:49.738 --> 00:26:52.908
Many times we need to make real preparation
00:26:52.908 --> 00:26:55.610
And take real steps.
00:26:55.610 --> 00:26:57.846
Personal sacrifice is unavoidable.
00:26:57.846 --> 00:27:01.049
Day and night the men of jerusalem worked,
00:27:01.049 --> 00:27:03.452
Watched, and prayed.
00:27:03.452 --> 00:27:05.187
Nehemiah recognized the threat from without.
00:27:05.187 --> 00:27:08.356
But what about those things
00:27:08.356 --> 00:27:09.725
That tear us apart from within?
00:27:09.725 --> 00:27:11.993
They can just as easily stop the vision
00:27:11.993 --> 00:27:15.063
When we lose our identity.
00:27:15.063 --> 00:27:17.833
Next time, as we walk the walls with nehemiah,
00:27:17.833 --> 00:27:21.169
We'll remind ourselves who we are in the messiah
00:27:21.169 --> 00:27:24.206
As we ask: what is your name?
00:27:24.206 --> 00:27:24.206

One For Israel - Stand Against Fear

February 7, 2026 | 27:29

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