"Why should we think to earn a great reward? If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins; fresh courage take"
Words from the hymn "Come Come Ye Saints"
"Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head"
From the hymn "God Moves In Mysterious Ways"
In the phrase "fresh courage take", "fresh" is an insinuation that courage is often fleeting even in the best of saints. We can see this in the biblical account of Peter's denial of the Christ. This is not a story of condemnation for Peter but rather a story of human nature and the triumph over the natural man. The picture is clear pertaining to Peter's great love for the Redeemer of all mankind. Much like all of us, his tears will moisten the imprinted feet of the Savior. Simply put, people fail in their courage.
Sometimes it is difficult to see what courage is. It is completely dependant on what is in the heart. Jesus Christ, The Great Judge, even in his mortal ministry, is able to see into a person's heart. I recall a time in my life when I was serving in the United States Navy. It was a dangerous time and a dangerous situation. I was serving on a very portable submarine base. The kind that can be there one day and gone the next. I was fresh out of bootcamp on a perimeter watch. Some debris was floating toward our vessel. I was ordered to go out on a small water craft and check the debris for explosives. With a salute and an "Aye, aye sir" and without hesitation I did just that. I think back on that event and it is a little blurry as to what was in my heart. A little brain washed maybe? I suppose there where a lot of motivators for me. Maybe duty played a big role. Maybe some selflessness. Like I said, it is pretty fuzzy. The point of the story is that a person can do seemingly brave things that are not courageous. I believe courage is much more rare than we think it is. In our lives we have had moments of courage and moments when courage escapes us. The dilemma is. How do we "take" courage? I would suggest it is about our motivation. What can motivate a person? I will make a few suggestions: Fear, Duty, Worldly gain, and Charity (the pure love of Christ). The first three can fail you at any time. Fear for example is a great motivator until you fear something more. Duty works for a time, but I have observed that it loses its luster in excuses and bad reasoning and gives way to the natural man. Worldly gain is so often the motivator for many evil acts such as slavery and other exploitations of your neighbor. Some would reason that it helps us take care of our families but in time the mask is removed and selfishness reveals its ugly face. True courage always comes in the wake of charity (the pure love of Christ). It is the same courage that causes a mother to jump into crocodile infested waters to save her child. Indeed it takes no thought to life, limb or pain. It never fails. Through charity or the pure love of Christ we can gird up our loins and take courage in a world that would cast doubt on your abilities. Do what is right no matter what fear may stop you. Do what is right for the right reasons. "Take Courage"
Another Testament of Jesus Christ (click)
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—But acharity is the pure blove of Christ, and it endureth cforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Courage:
