Two of my favorite characters in the Old Testament are Joab and Esther. I am challenged and encouraged by their hearts: free to take huge risks because of such great faith in the sovereignty of God.

 

Joab, sent by David, enlisted the leadership of his brother, Abishai, to go with him against the armies of the Syrians and the Ammonites. Joab knew he and his men were outnumbered, and yet with steadfast courage he looked Abishai in the face and said "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him" (1 Chronicles 19:12-13, emphasis mine).

 

Esther, the queen of King Ahasuerus, heard from her uncle Mordecai of an evil and devastating plot, devised by the chief minister Haman, to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus. Knowing of no other alternative to save the Jewish people, Esther put her life on the line to approach the King. "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law - to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days" (Esther 4:11). Yet, Esther took a noble risk anyway. Esther sent message to her uncle Mordecai: "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16, emphasis mine).

 

I want the kind of heart that strives for God in a way that, in the face of death, says things like "may the Lord do what seems good to him" (1 Chronicles 19:13) or "if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). Temporary risk in this world is both necessary and possible because eternal risk was eliminated by Christ. Jesus said, "for whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). We develop Joab and Esther like hearts when we refuse to be average prosperous Americans. We embrace the difficult paradoxes of the Bible: be tender & tough, sorrowful yet always rejoicing, in the world but not of the world, suffering and joy-filled. The gospel is most triumphant when the people of God take great risks with great vigor, casting aside the securities, seductions, comforts, and pleasures of this world. Safety doesn't exist - it's a mirage, yet we cling so tightly to it as though we will never taste difficulty or death.

 

Look at Joab again. I see 4 instructing elements that lead us into radical and vigorous risk for the glory of God:

 

1. A steadfast-striving heart. At the outset of 1 Chronicles 19:13, Joab tells Abishai "Be strong." "Strengthen your heart, brother - we are about to take a great risk. Do not step back. Don't shy away now. We're in this thing to the end - get some steel about your heart and be immovable." Think about that. They are surrounded by Syrians and Ammonites and Joab says, "be courageous." Be of great heart.

 

2. A commendable conduct. Joab said, "let us use our strength." They move forward with a level of certainty and trust in what they have been equipped with. "Let us use what God has given us to use in this time, brother." This is a conduct that is commendable. This is a conduct that takes action. Those who will be successful risk-takers in the Kingdom of God are not those who will simply dream and hypothesize, but those who will take valiant action. It's the man of great resolution and great energy that conquers strife.

 

3. A worthy motive. Joab's motive was clear: "let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God." There is an amazing show of unselfishness in the words and actions of Joab and Abishai. Their battle was mounted with great resolve to protect the people and cities of God, knowing full well that they may be breathing their last breath.

 

4. A sure confidence. Joab showed great faith in Providence - the wisdom of the Most High God: "may the Lord do what seems good to him." He resolved, in a time which would cause most to despair, to leave the battle in the hands of God. What great courage has a man who is confident in an all-wise ruler and disposer of all events! The soldier will go bravely to battle, the laborer to work, and the martyr to suffering, when the heart is inspired with the assurance of the divine presence and favor and support of the creator of the universe.

These are the things that will cause us to take great risks for the Kingdom of God. What kind of risks are these since we're not up against the Syrians and the Ammorites or King Ahasuerus?

Profitable, God-honoring risk will look different for each person, dependant upon your place in life, your spiritual gifts, and all else that God has given to you. Nevertheless, all Christians should be involved in some level of risky-living that causes a certain level of shock to others around us who see no other evidences of what we're doing in the world other than in the Church. Here are some examples of what risk might look like:

• Rejecting the frivolous pursuits of American Dream-like retirement to commit the latter part of your life to the purpose of global, frontier missions, knowing that ultimate satisfaction and ultimate joy await you in only a few short years.

• Changing your current job or entire career because you know in your heart that you are not being used in a way that is maximizing your gifts for the profit of the Kingdom.

• Adopting one of the 150 million orphans in the world to provide a more stable and lasting hope for this life, and the life to come, knowing that you are showing the tangible results of our vertical adoption in Christ.

• Heeding the call in your life to serve the Church as an elder, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, or a ministry leader.

• Perhaps it would be risky to approach someone whom you haven't spoken to in years because of conflict - maybe in your family, maybe a neighbor, or maybe in your local church.
  

• Cashing in a portion of your over-inflated 401k to meet the needs of a brother or sister in Christ, helping them get on their feet or educate their children or make sure they have food on the table tonight.

• Downsizing and adjusting your lifestyle so your resources are more freed up to utilize for the advancement of the Kingdom.

• Perhaps the Lord has continuously impressed upon you a desire for a specific ministry venture that you have been reluctant to begin.

Depending on who you are, these may all seem risky on different levels, and these are the kind of things that the gospel calls us to in this life. Not to be comfortable - not to be frivolous - not to be chipper all the time - not to fill up our houses and garages and storage units and storage sheds and attics and basements. We are called to use the means we have, and to put it all on the line for the Kingdom of God, leaving the successes of our labor up to the will and pleasure of the King. And in the end, if we perish, we perish. May the Lord do what seems good to Him.