Fueling Your Zeal With Courage

The 18th century Prussian king Frederick the Great was widely known as an agnostic. By contrast, General Von Zealand, one of his most trusted officers, was a devout Believer in Christ.

The story’s told that during a festive gathering the king began making crude jokes about Christ until everyone was rocking with laughter–all but Von Zealand. Finally, he arose and addressed the king with this retort.

“Sire, you know I have not feared death. I have fought and won 38 battles for you. I am an old man; I shall soon have to go into the presence of One greater than you, the mighty God who saved me from my sin, the Lord Jesus Christ whom you are blaspheming. I salute you, sire, as an old man who loves his Savior, on the edge of eternity.”

The place went silent, and with a trembling voice the king replied, “General Von Zealand–I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!” And with that the party quietly ended.

Von Zealand was a fearless general who displayed his courage on the battlefield. Yet, that day when he stood up for Jesus in the face of his commander in chief who mocked Christ, his courage was never more evident.

Courage is not something that is merely physical. Courage, from God’s perspective involves spiritual commitment, moral convictions, combined with mental and emotional strength founded on faith.

Furthermore, zeal without courage is short lived and is easily abandoned when faced with opposition, challenge, criticism, or ridicule. Zeal without courage will result in hesitation, stagnation and missed opportunities. Zeal without courage has good intentions but fails to follow through. Zeal without courage becomes little more than mere words, empty gestures, or a vain boast.

Zeal without courage is the apostle Peter bragging to Jesus, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” When Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning, Peter responded. “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matt. 26:341-35).

We all know how that turned out. Peter was zealous, but on that occasion when confronted about his relationship with Jesus, he caved. His zeal for Christ wilted. And fear, probably for his own life, crushed his courage. Ironically, Peter would later write and rhetorically ask “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?” (1 Pet 3:13).

Of course, Peter’s zeal was later fueled with courage when he defied the Jewish religious leaders who commanded him to cease preaching the name of Jesus. He responded that it was only through Jesus Christ that people could be saved (Ax. 4:12). And boldly affirmed, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Ax, 5:29).

David, a teenage Shepherd boy, was both zealous and courageous when he stepped up to fight Goliath. Not just because he was a kid and Goliath was a giant champion. But he overcame the fear of his fellow countrymen, the ridicule of his older brother and the doubt of King Saul. David’s zeal was fueled with courage.

Later, as the sweet Psalmist of Israel, David would write, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord” (Ps 31:24).

At the end of his life King David called his son, Solomon to his side and encouraged him as he ascended to the throne, “Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (I Chron 22:13).

Following the last Supper, on the way to the cross, Jesus encouraged his apostles to be faithful in the face of tribulation, opposition and hardship. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Often our confused culture labels people as courageous, who really aren’t and overlooks those unknown and unheralded people who really are courageous.

In a culture that is rapidly changing and often critical of Christians and those who espouse traditional, Biblical values, we are called upon to be courageous. Henry VanDyke called courage, “the standing army of the soul which keeps it from conquest, pillage, and slavery.”

Courage originates within and is demonstrated in actions and attitudes.

Courage stands firm on principles instead of public opinion.

Courage is doing what is right for the right reasons, even when there is the temptation to do wrong.

Courage is exercised daily in the “small issues” of life.

Courage is founded on faith, fed by God’s Word, fostered by prayer, and facilitated with zeal.

The late writer Maya Angelou was right when she said: “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman