2 Chronicles 17:1-6: a reflection

1Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, 4but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel. 5Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.

When Jehoshaphat becomes king of Judah, the passage describes his faithfulness: he sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, not in the ways of the surrounding idolatry. And it says something striking about his heart: his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD; and so he removed the high places and idolatrous poles from Judah. His devotion to God was not timid or half-hearted, but bold, a heart made courageous, emboldened, in following the ways of the LORD.

Notice the phrase: his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. Jehoshaphat's faithfulness was not a timid, cautious, half-hearted thing; his heart was bold, emboldened, courageous in following God. And out of that courageous heart flowed decisive action, the removal of idolatry. His wholehearted seeking of God gave him a heart that was bold to do what following God required, even the hard and unpopular work of tearing down idols.

That is a heart worth desiring: one made courageous in the ways of the LORD. It is possible to follow God timidly, cautiously, half-heartedly, hesitant to do what following him fully requires, especially when it is hard or unpopular. But Jehoshaphat's heart was courageous in God's ways, bold to seek him and to do what faithfulness required. Ask God for such a heart, one made bold and courageous in following him, not timid or hesitant, but confident to do what his ways require, even when it is hard. Seek God wholeheartedly, and let that seeking give you a heart courageous in the ways of the LORD, bold to follow him fully and to do what faithfulness asks.

Lord, Jehoshaphat sought you wholeheartedly, and his heart was courageous in your ways, bold to follow you and to do the hard work of removing idolatry. Give me such a heart. It is possible to follow you timidly, cautiously, half-heartedly, hesitant to do what following you fully requires, especially when it is hard or unpopular. But Jehoshaphat's heart was courageous in your ways. Make my heart bold and courageous in following you, not timid or hesitant, but confident to do what your ways require, even when it is difficult. Help me seek you wholeheartedly, and let that seeking give me a heart made courageous in your ways, bold to follow you fully and to do what faithfulness asks. Embolden my heart for you, Lord.