No 20

(Courage)

This is the first of many studies we will be doing on certain virtues demonstrated in animals and also in Biblical personalities. The first animal that we will examine is the skunk and how it demonstrates courage during its life. The skunk is a very useful animal to farmers because they prey on mice and other small rodents that harm crops. In the forest they always have a clear path because of their very strong scent. This is the main reason that they demonstrate courage. Foxes, wolves and other larger animals always give skunks the right of way in the forest. The skunk taps its paw on the ground to warn any oncoming animals and they see it coming and get out of its way. Unfortunalely, this is also the reason that there are so many skunks that get killed on the highways. As in the forest, they tap their paws on the road to “warn” oncoming cars of their presence but, as we well know, cars do not get out of the way. When the skunk is poised to spray its victim, its raises its tail and makes sure that it does not spray itself. The enemies of the skunk are hawks and owls; for some reason the skunk’s liquid has no effect on them.

The Bible demonstrates courage in many persons but I believe that most courageous person in the Bible is David when he confronted Goliath on the battlefield during the reign of King Saul. There is really no need to explain the story, it is so familiar. Yet, it shows that unearthly courage is possible with an unyielding faith in the God of creation. There was no doubt in David’s mind about who was to be the winner of the battle. The Bible tells us that when he saw Saul’s frightened army, he was more than courageous, he was mad. David said “for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26b. The Lord had given David two prior experiences with a bear and a lion to test his bravery and David came through with flying colours. Why? Because he trusted God; the same God that we have. He was only a teenager but had the faith of an elder. He confronted the giant with assurance and audacity. David said to Goliath “This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” 1 Samuel 17:46. Do we, at times, face Goliaths in our lives? May we confront them with the courage of David.