October 6th, 2025
By: Josh Sims
Strong and Courageous – Trusting God's Presence
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
The book of Joshua opens with a daunting challenge. Moses, the revered leader of Israel, is gone. Now Joshua must step into those immense shoes and lead an entire nation into the Promised Land—a land filled with unknowns, fortified cities, and formidable enemies. In the face of this overwhelming task, God speaks directly to Joshua’s fear and uncertainty.
“Have I not commanded you?”
This isn't a mere suggestion from God; it's a divine charge. Strength and courage aren't based on Joshua's personality or past experience—they’re rooted in the presence of God. The command is paired with a powerful promise: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God knew Joshua’s heart. He knew the weight of leadership, the fear of failure, and the reality of opposition. And still, He didn't say, "Be confident in yourself," or "Trust in your strategy." He said, “I will be with you.”
You may not be leading a nation, but you might be standing at the edge of something that feels just as overwhelming—a new job, a health challenge, a broken relationship, a spiritual battle. Like Joshua, you may feel unqualified, unsure, or afraid.
But God's promise to Joshua is a promise for you too.
Be strong — not because life is easy, but because God is with you.
Be courageous — not because you have all the answers, but because He never leaves you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged — even when the journey is long or uncertain.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s trusting God enough to move forward in spite of it.
Wherever God calls you, His presence goes before you. Let that truth silence fear and awaken courage in your heart today.
Strong and Courageous – Trusting God's Presence
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
The book of Joshua opens with a daunting challenge. Moses, the revered leader of Israel, is gone. Now Joshua must step into those immense shoes and lead an entire nation into the Promised Land—a land filled with unknowns, fortified cities, and formidable enemies. In the face of this overwhelming task, God speaks directly to Joshua’s fear and uncertainty.
“Have I not commanded you?”
This isn't a mere suggestion from God; it's a divine charge. Strength and courage aren't based on Joshua's personality or past experience—they’re rooted in the presence of God. The command is paired with a powerful promise: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God knew Joshua’s heart. He knew the weight of leadership, the fear of failure, and the reality of opposition. And still, He didn't say, "Be confident in yourself," or "Trust in your strategy." He said, “I will be with you.”
You may not be leading a nation, but you might be standing at the edge of something that feels just as overwhelming—a new job, a health challenge, a broken relationship, a spiritual battle. Like Joshua, you may feel unqualified, unsure, or afraid.
But God's promise to Joshua is a promise for you too.
Be strong — not because life is easy, but because God is with you.
Be courageous — not because you have all the answers, but because He never leaves you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged — even when the journey is long or uncertain.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s trusting God enough to move forward in spite of it.
Wherever God calls you, His presence goes before you. Let that truth silence fear and awaken courage in your heart today.
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