Virtue in LOTR - Courage

Philippians 1:20-21 and Gimli son of Gloin
God tells us over and over to be strong and courageous. It is a key part of us entering into all that God has for us in our life. The words are used in Deut 31:6, Deut 31:7, Deut 3123, Josh 1:6, Josh 1:7, Josh 1:9, Josh 1:18, and Josh 10:25. There are so many examples of courage that it seems there is courage on every page. For example Frodo and Sam were challenged over and over to show courage. However, I think Gimli provides an example of courage that never wavered. I think you could question his prudence and on occasion his temperance but I don’t think you would question his courage. In courage we are ready to face a trial no matter the cost because the way is the right way to go.

When the Fellowship was headed into Lothlorien they were headed into a very dangerous place for a Dwarf. Dwarves and Elves had a bad history over the last while and Dwarves were not welcome in Lothlorien. They may have come in but they never went out. Gimli never balked but Boromir did. Gimli’s courage was such that if the necessary path went through Lothlorien then he was headed in. His heart was remarkably pure and eventually Galadriel sent word to take off the blindfold and let him walk free.

The question we must ask is, “was Gimli reckless or was he courageous?” Within the context of the LOTR, dwarves were a secondary creation by an “archangel” who was impatient with the pace and direction of “God.” However, since it was not enthusiasm rather than rebellion, God didn’t curse them He incorporated and blessed them in creation. I think the greatest testimony to the true courage of Gimli was found in Lothlorien. Not only did he not blink at entering a place that dwarves were not welcome he was also able to stand under the gaze of Galadriel. She weighed hearts and he came out on the positive side of the scale. All of them blinked (even Aragorn and Legolas) and blushed as their hearts were tried but he, even more than the rest of the fellowship, embraced the search of his heart. If you want courage then submitting to that search of your heart is where courage is required. Scripture says this in many ways but Psalm 139:23-24 after the psalmist is repulsed by evil he prays “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” If you ask God to search you and try you then you had better get ready. Most folks don’t pray that prayer very often but Gimli, after being exposed to the search that tried each of their hearts, asked for only a strand of the hair from the head of Galadriel. Even the elves were amazed at his reaction.