Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening offerings. Ezra 3:3

Fear is something that is often very crippling for most people. It will cause them to back down or stop doing something or take a different path out of fear that something bad could occur. While most will run out of fear, there are some who will face their fears as a good challenge. They have learned to overcome their fears to get things accomplished.

Ezra led the people to rebuild the altar. They chose to rebuild it even while they feared the other nations around them and then sacrificed offerings on it.

True believers will have enemies in this world that are out to stop them at any cost. Some of those enemies are willing to go to the level of physical killing the believer, though most will not go to that extent. The world, as a whole, hates believers because of the standard that they hold. It reveals that the life they are living is bad and there will come a day of judgement.

Believers need to remember that Jesus has overcome death and will be with them. This can give them encouragement to overcome fear and do things despite what may or may not happen.

When surrounded by the enemy, the first thing a believer must do is build the altar. He needs to get down on his knees and be praying and worshipping God first and foremost, pushing out fear and allowing God and His love to enter and be a presence among the enemy.

God’s perfect love will cast out all fear and give one the ability to accomplish that which needs to be done.

There will be times you will be surrounded by the enemy. Others may be trying to get you to stop doing God’s will. Their threats may appear ominous and life threatening. Despite the fears arising in your heart and mind, build the altar to God.

Go before God in prayer and worship and allow His presence to fill you with strength and peace, removing all fear. Be willing to do what God has commanded, despite what the world may say or try to do. God will help you overcome and be victorious in the end. Remember He defeated death.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will build your altar to God; that you will seek God’s presence in your life; that you will allow God’s love to remove all fear; that you will do what God commands despite any fears; and that you will see victory in obeying God.