"Chazaq" Courage

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD." Psalm 31:24

     Courage helps us look problems in the eye, rather than look the other way. God wants us to live heroically and bravely. Courage is like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger we will become. If we cower in fear, our courage muscle will atrophy and waste away from disuse. To know what to do and not to do it is the worst cowardice, Confucius taught. An old Italian proverb reminds us it is better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep.

     Great courage is needed by citizens in every country to confront injustice and familiar patterns of racism and destructive ways of doing things. It takes courage to feed your enemies, rather than use food as a political weapon. Only the brave will change old ways of thinking and being, while learning how to live with mutuality, respect, equality, and dignity. It takes courage to stop death threats, while only cowards commit acts of random violence. Courage is needed to stand up and speak truth, and needed to sit down and listen. Great strength and courage are needed when working together for finding peaceable, nonviolent ways to seek reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration.

     The specific Hebrew word used for strength and courage in today's verse is "chazaq." "Chazaq" is found here and in Psalm 27:14. God is our source of "chazaq". "Chazaq" does not carry a passive grin and bear it attitude. Here it is being used as a verb, encouraging the one praying to be strong and confident while waiting alertly for God. It is the total opposite of cowardice. "Chazaq" is a bold word describing the believer's confident courage that is only perfected while waiting for God. People of faith need this bold yet humble quality of mind and heart, from every racial and ethnic background.

     In the mighty power of God, be brave. Be strong. Take courage. Don't give up. God is in the chaos and storms of life, generously giving each seeker the courage, strength, stamina, endurance, perseverance and fortitude needed for every situation.

     Prayer: God, hear our humble prayers as we wait upon you for answers. Deliver Zimbabwe from her troubles. Bless her people with chazaq courage and strength. May our courage make the world a better place. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
August 16, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute and share this reflection with the people of Zimbabwe.