Young Myron sat on the porch swing, staring out at the empty street that stretched beyond his grandfather's house. His brow was wrinkled, and his hands fidgeted with the small wooden car he always carried around. It had been a difficult week. Some of the boys at school had teased him for standing up for a younger kid, and though Myron knew he had done the right thing, he couldn’t shake the anxiety that gripped him.

His grandfather, having stopped working on the lawnmower and wiping the oil from his hands onto a towel, noticed Myron’s anxious expression. Sitting down beside him, he placed a gentle hand on Myron’s shoulder. "What’s on your mind, son?"

Myron took a deep breath before speaking. "Well, there’s this younger kid at school, Jamie. He’s really quiet and kind of shy, and a lot of the older boys pick on him. The other day, during recess, they were teasing him, pushing him around, and calling him names. I was standing nearby, and I knew it wasn’t right. I wanted to just ignore it and walk away, but something inside me wouldn’t let me. So, I told them to stop and that it wasn’t fair to treat him like that. But instead of listening, they turned on me and started making fun of me too. They said I was just trying to be a hero and that I should mind my own business. I felt scared, but I didn’t back down. I just told them again to leave Jamie alone and walked away with him. After that, they started teasing me all week, saying Jamie and I are sweet for each other, and calling me names like sissy." Myron looked down, fiddling with his wooden car again. "It just feels like sticking up for Jamie made everything worse."

Myron sighed. "It’s hard, Grandpa. Sometimes I just don’t feel brave. I know I did what was right, but it feels like it would be easier to just keep quiet next time."

His grandfather smiled. "You know, that reminds me of a story from the Bible. One about a man named Zadok. Have I ever told you about him?"

Myron shook his head. "No. Who was he?"

Leaning back, his grandfather began. "Do you remember David? Well, Zadok was a priest in ancient Israel, and he served during the time of King David. He was a man of great courage and loyalty to Jehovah. Now, David became king, chosen by God, but not everyone was loyal to him. At one point, David’s own son, Absalom, tried to overthrow him and take the throne."

Myron’s eyes widened. "His own son?"

"Yes," his grandfather nodded. "It was a dark time for David. He had to flee from Jerusalem to save his life. Many people were afraid and turned against David. Absalom was very good-looking and popular, so the people thought that siding with him would bring them safety and power. But not Zadok. You see, Zadok was a man who stood for what was right, no matter how dangerous it seemed."

Myron leaned in, listening intently. "What did he do?"

"Zadok wanted to follow David, even as he fled. He and the other priests brought the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of Jehovah’s presence, to go with David into exile. But David told Zadok to return to Jerusalem with the Ark, trusting that Jehovah would bring him back to the throne if it was His will. Zadok obeyed him completely. He trusted in Jehovah’s plan, even though it meant staying in the city and facing the dangers of a divided kingdom."

Myron thought for a moment, then asked, "But wasn’t he afraid?"

"I’m sure he was," his grandfather replied. "But courage isn’t about not feeling fear. It’s about doing what’s right, even when you are afraid. Zadok knew that supporting Jehovah’s choice—David—was the right thing to do, and he wasn’t going to let fear stop him. And you know, Myron, later, when another of David’s sons, Adonijah, tried to take the throne without Jehovah’s blessing, Zadok once again stood up for righteousness. He anointed Solomon as king, just as Jehovah had directed. He didn’t follow the crowd, and for that, he was rewarded with a place of honor."

Myron’s grandfather paused, looking into his grandson’s eyes. "Myron, you were like Zadok this week. You stood up for that younger boy at school, even though it wasn’t easy, and even though it might have made you feel scared. That’s what courage is all about—doing what’s right because you trust that Jehovah will bless your efforts, just like He did for Zadok."

Myron smiled faintly. "But what if it keeps happening, Grandpa? What if they keep teasing me?"

His grandfather leaned in closer, his voice soft but steady. "There will always be people who try to make you feel small for doing the right thing. But remember this: Jehovah sees your courage. In 2 Samuel 15:25, David said something powerful to Zadok when he sent him back to Jerusalem. He said, ‘If I find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, He will bring me back.’ Zadok trusted in that, and we can trust that Jehovah will bring good to those who are loyal to Him."

Myron looked down at the wooden car in his hands, then back at his grandfather. "So, I can be brave like Zadok?"

His grandfather smiled. "Absolutely, son. You can be brave every day by standing up for what’s right, by supporting Jehovah’s Kingdom, and by trusting in His promises. Remember, courage doesn’t mean you won’t feel fear; it just means you’ll do what’s right, no matter what. And that, Myron, is the kind of courage that matters most."

Myron sat up a little straighter, feeling the weight of his grandfather’s words sink in. He nodded, determination shining in his young eyes. "I’ll try to be like Zadok, Grandpa."

His grandfather ruffled his hair. "I know you will, Myron. You already are."

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)