Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

We learn in chapter 5 of Nehemiah that the government was overtaxing the Jews.  Nehemiah's response to this had various stages. First, he was angry.  Then he thought about it. Let's pause here.  How many of us give in to anger over injustice only to "live" there instead of regrouping and giving it thought?  Do we tend to let our emotions get the best of us?  Or do we move on into rational thought instead?  It's hard to do sometimes, but very possible! Nehemiah's response after he gave it some thought was to confront the powers that be over their misdeeds.  He told them flat out that they were taking advantage of his people.  He said directly, "The thing that you are doing is not good." (v 9)  That took guts! Then, Nehemiah told the governor to fear God and restore to the Jews everything they had stolen from them. It's like they needed to be told, like children, right from wrong, and how to rectify their wrongdoing.  And they listened and did what

What does it mean to be fearless?  Some think that it means that you boldly go forth not paying attention to any authority whatsoever, doing whatever you "feel" like with no regard for anyone else.  This is "doing your own thing."   This can look tempting.  But at its root is prideful rebellion and eventually leads to disgrace and downfall. Being fearless in Christ looks a whole lot different, to say the least. When we fear God - have a reverential awe of Him, His holiness, and see Him as Lord - then we fear (are afraid of) no one else. What can man do to me?  (Psalm 118:6) We go forth boldly knowing that the power of the universe resides inside us, is for us, wages war for us, when necessary (Exodus 14:14), and gives us all we need to obey Him and live for Him wholeheartedly in a world that hates and rejects Him (and therefore, hates and rejects us). We need this boldness in order to face the persecutions that we face as Christians.  Some of us face more than other