Courage
The mother of all virtues
Scripture Reading 2 Kings 22:1-28
Aristotle said that courage is the mother of all the virtues because it makes all the other virtues possible. C.S. Lewis explained, “Courage is not just one of the virtues but the very form of every virtue at the testing point.” The point is, virtues are, to a degree, easily practiced when there are no negative consequences, when it is an acceptable way to live, when there is no pushback, and when we don’t suffer for it. But virtuous living is not done in a vacuum. This is why Paul wrote, “Those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Godly living in Christ, therefore, necessitates courageous living in Christ Jesus.
The prophet Micaiah is an example of holy courage. He alone of all the prophets of Israel was willing to speak the truth to the king. He did so when he was alone in his beliefs. There was no one standing beside him in agreement, or even behind him cheering him on. He stood firm when he was physically assaulted, libeled, and then condemned to imprisonment where he languished and was practically starved to death. That took courage.
Courage is what Micaiah needed and courage is what he practiced. We live in times that call for courage. Godly living isn’t going to be easy. Walking in and speaking the truth won’t be without consequences. Courage is and will be the very form of every virtue at its testing point. And those testing points are upon us.