His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.2 Chronicles 17:6
Jehoshaphat was a good king. God blessed him for being faithful to worship Him and the king had a strong, decisive, active faith. He did courageous, faithful actions. He tore down the false worship of idols at every opportunity. He led the nation back to a worship of the Lord.
The text reminds us to take note that courageous faith is more than an inspiring spiritual phrase. Courageous faith takes a stand. Courageous faith is moved to action. Courageous faith uses the means at its disposal to do the right things in worship of God and to remove idolatry that is an affront to a holy God.
Christians today can learn from the courageous faith of King Jehoshaphat. We can worship God faithfully in an idolatrous generation. We can confront our idols, tear them down, remove the worship of them from our lives, and live for Jesus with courage to tell about the good news that Jesus died for sinners, so we might receive God’s grace, mercy, and acceptance. And then we must live out that grace in courageous ways.
It will take courageous faith to worship Jesus from a pure heart in the 21st century. It will take courageous faith to share the gospel with those we live around who are increasingly soaking in a post-Christian and growing anti-Christian cultural stew. But we should not blame the culture alone. It will take courageous faith to tear down the Asherim so firmly rooted in our own churches... the idols of political power, fame and celebrity, programs that are light on scripture and create legalism that quenches the Spirit, pride in our Pharisaical Christian sub-culture, and gross consumeristic demands that twist Christianity to be two parts American Dream and one part customer satisfaction. All these must go in order for true, authentic gospel reforms to be unleashed in Christ’s church. May His church be blessed with some hearts courageous in the ways of the Lord!
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