His Heart Was Courageous
The LORD was with Jehoshaphat,
because he walked in the earlier ways of his father; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his
commandments, and not according to the ways of Israel. Therefore the LORD
established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart
was courageous in the ways of the LORD; and furthermore he removed the high
places and the sacred poles from Judah.
Fear is very real. But it is not
always negative. There can be a positive, healthy fear. A respectful fear of
the LORD was what King Jehoshaphat desired for his
people. He knew that if the people were in awe of the Almighty, they would
humble themselves and obey Him. Doing what was right would bring prosperity to
Judah and respect from neighboring countries.
The right kind
of fear will keep us from doing wrong.