Be Strong & Courageous
The opening of a new year is often filled with hopes, dreams, and plans. Yet, stepping into the unknown can feel daunting. How do we move forward with confidence, particularly as believers seeking to follow God’s will? God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9 offer a clear and timeless charge: “Be strong and courageous.”
As Israel prepared to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, God called Joshua to lead. This moment was not just a transition in leadership; it was a defining moment for the people of God. Behind them lay the wilderness and Egypt—a place of slavery and wandering. Ahead of them lay Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, representing the fullness of God’s blessing.
Today, the church stands in a similar place. For years, we’ve navigated challenges—some seasons of wandering, others of advancement. But now we are poised at the edge of something new, something full of potential. God is calling us to move forward in faith, not backward to the comfort of familiarity.
This journey won’t be without challenges. Like Joshua and the Israelites, we’ll face obstacles and opposition. However, we cannot retreat. The way forward requires boldness, faith, and a commitment to God’s Word. Each one of us has a role to play in God’s work, for we are a kingdom of priests with direct access to Him.
Let these verses in Joshua 1 serve as a banner over us this year, reminding us to trust God fully and step courageously into His plans.
The Prerequisite for God's Service
God’s command to Joshua was not a suggestion. It was an essential prerequisite: “Be strong and courageous.” Why? Because the task ahead would not be easy. There would be obstacles, challenges, and adversaries. Three times in Joshua 1:6-9, God repeated this charge to Joshua, driving home its importance.
To be strong and courageous means holding firm to our faith, being rooted in God’s promises, and trusting His sovereignty. Strength comes from conviction, boldness, and reliance on God’s grace. As Moses told Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.”
We need the same resolve today. When challenges arise—be it spiritual warfare, temptation, or life’s uncertainties—we cannot waver. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." The Christian life is not for the faint of heart, but God supplies the strength we need when we trust Him fully.
The Promise of God's Provision
God didn’t call Joshua to courage without offering assurance: “You shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them” (Joshua 1:6). The Promised Land symbolized God’s abundance, but to receive it, Israel had to move forward by faith.
The same is true for us. God has prepared spiritual blessings for His people—grace upon grace, life more abundant—but we must trust Him to lead us. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that God has preordained good works for us to walk in. However, stepping into those works requires strength, courage, and faith.
The dimensions of the land in Joshua 1:4—stretching from the wilderness to the Mediterranean Sea—highlight the vastness of God’s provision. God doesn’t give sparingly; He lavishes His children with blessings beyond what they can imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Yet, every victory and every blessing comes through faith-filled obedience.
The Primacy of God's Word
Joshua’s success would depend on his relationship with Scripture. God commanded: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). Success in the Christian life hinges on our dedication to God’s Word.
Meditating on Scripture is more than reading—it’s internalizing, reflecting, and applying it. God’s Word must saturate our hearts and minds so that it directs our thoughts, decisions, and actions. Psalm 1 captures this beautifully: “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.”
For Joshua, this meant staying rooted in the law of Moses. For us, it means anchoring our lives in the full counsel of God—Old and New Testaments. Obedience to Scripture is not optional. As Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
The charge to not “turn to the right or to the left” (Joshua 1:7) remains relevant. The world tempts us to compromise, to blend in, or to adopt its values. Yet, God calls us to stay on the path of truth. Success, both spiritually and in life, comes when we align our lives with His Word.
The Power of God's Authority
God ended His charge to Joshua with a powerful rhetorical question: “Have I not commanded you?” (Joshua 1:9). This wasn’t a suggestion—it was a divine directive, backed by God’s authority and presence. Joshua’s courage came not from his own strength but from the knowledge that God was with him: “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
This promise echoes throughout Scripture. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. And Jesus reassures us in Matthew 28:20: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God’s presence changes everything. When we know He is with us, fear loses its grip. He goes before us to prepare the way, walks beside us to encourage us, and stands behind us to protect us. His sufficiency gives us the courage to face trials, overcome obstacles, and step into the fullness of His will.
Conclusion
Joshua’s call to be strong and courageous is God’s call to us today. As we face the unknown, we must anchor ourselves in His promises, His provision, and His Word. Remember, God is with us wherever we go. He equips us with strength and courage to live boldly for Him.
Are you ready to trust Him fully? Step forward in faith, knowing the same God who empowered Joshua is with you.