2 Chronicles 17 tells the story of Jehoshaphat, how he fortified the cities of Judah, set garrisons in the land and, most importantly, that "his heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord" (17:6). This description stuck with me as I read the other books of this week's selection. I wondered what the section in Deuteronomy had to say about being courageous in the ways of the Lord. The answer wasn't immediate; upon a first review, chapters 13-17 appeared to contain straightforward directives: don't serve other gods (Deuteronomy 13), watch what you eat (14), honor God with tithing (14), participate in the Sabbatical Year (15), celebrate the Passover and Feasts (16), and don't pervert justice (16). Commands like these don't necessarily translate into courageous acts. Yet after closer review, I could see how a heart does need to be courageous in these ways of the Lord. For example, in order to not serve other gods, chapter 13 actually discusses walking away from an authority figure (a prophet who is misleading), and it speaks of going against family who would lead one astray. A person can only imagine the kind of courage this might take, to ignore authority or to challenge one's family. Similarly, when the text discusses the Sabbatical Year and notes that the reader is to "give freely" assisting those who become poor (15:10), a certain amount of courage is required here too. To give freely means one has to trust that there is and will be enough to be shared.
A call for courage is present in the letter of 1 John as well. Repeatedly it states that the reader is to recognize or confess that Jesus is the son of God. From experience, I can say this is not always a simple thing. So many challenges can be made that it is all too easy to remain silent about what one believes. I unfortunately have fallen into such traps. Why present my thoughts when they seem to be so easily dismissed? Thankfully, though, the letter of 1 John doesn't say that we have get into arguments over the matter. Quite the contrary, we are to "love one another" (1 John 4:7), and in so loving, we need to share the reason for this love: I love because he first love me (4:19). In a world that is fueled by arguments and finger-pointing, this is relieving. This is a courage I can aspire to. I can peacefully share my case, my story.
What one does need to be careful of, though, is to not follow the standard example set by the men of 2 Chronicles. In last week's reading, Asa diligently followed God until his final years; this week, courageous Jehoshaphat also turns from the good he has witnessed and joins wicked king Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). Being courageous is one thing; staying courageous is another. How does one not become like unfaithful Israel (as described in Hosea), a people who made a covenant with God only to forget him, traipsing in blood, committing villainy, waiting like robbers to prey on a man (Hosea 6:7-10)? Along with describing the condition of Israel, Hosea presents a possible answer: 4:6 says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge", and 4:14 states, "a people without understanding shall come to ruin." This seems to indicate that part of staying courageous in the Lord's ways entails paying attention and not simply standing by and letting things just happen around you. Proverbs 4 appears to affirm; it is all about how a son should pay heed to a father's wise instruction: "[B]e attentive to my words, incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. [...] Keep your heart with all vigilance" (4:20-23). Likewise, we too should be vigilant and attend to wise instruction, for this will help fuel the courage of living one's faith.
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