Biblical courage comes from knowing that God is with you, not from feeling brave or being sure things will go well. In Joshua 1:9 God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous and gives the reason in the same breath: God will go with him everywhere. This devotional for courage explores that promise and offers one practical step for facing what frightens you today.
Key Verse
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
A Leader in Over His Head
Joshua 1 opens with a hard sentence: Moses, the Lord’s faithful servant, had died (Joshua 1:1-2, leadership passes to Joshua). For forty years Moses had led Israel. Now Joshua was in charge of a nation about to cross the Jordan into a land full of fortified cities and powerful enemies.
Joshua had reasons to feel inadequate. He had watched Moses talk with God face to face. He had seen the people grumble and rebel. Now the weight was on him. It is no surprise that God tells him to be strong and courageous three times in one chapter (Joshua 1:6-9, repeated for emphasis).
Courage Commanded
It is striking that God commands courage. We usually treat courage as a personality trait some people have and others lack. But God speaks to Joshua as if courage is a choice he can make.
That does not mean Joshua will never feel afraid. It means he does not have to let fear make his decisions. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is obeying God while fear is still present.
God’s question, “Have I not commanded you?”, also reminds Joshua whose mission this is. He was not inventing a plan. He was following God’s call. When you are walking in obedience, the responsibility for the outcome ultimately rests with the one who sent you.
The Reason Behind the Command
God never asks for courage without supplying a reason. Here the reason is his presence. Joshua will not cross the Jordan alone. The God who split the Red Sea and fed Israel in the desert will go with him into every battle and every unknown place.
That same promise echoes through Scripture. Moses had told Israel that God would go before them and would never abandon them (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, God’s presence as the ground of courage). Jesus ended his earthly ministry by promising his followers that he would remain with them every day until history ends (Matthew 28:20, Christ’s abiding presence).
Strength Rooted in God’s Word
Just before verse 9, God tells Joshua to keep God’s law on his lips and ponder it morning and evening (Joshua 1:8, Scripture shapes faithful action). Courage is not built in a single moment. It grows as we fill our minds with God’s promises.
When fear speaks, you need another voice. Reading and memorizing Scripture gives you words to answer fear with truth. A verse like Joshua 1:9 can become something you repeat on the way into a hard meeting, a hospital room, or a difficult conversation.
What Courage Looks Like Today
You may not be leading a nation into battle, but you likely face your own Jordan rivers:
- Speaking honestly in a tense relationship
- Starting a new job, ministry, or move
- Facing a medical diagnosis or treatment
- Sharing your faith with a friend
- Saying no to something that would compromise your conscience
In each case courage means taking the next faithful step, trusting that God goes with you. You do not need courage for the whole journey at once, only for the next step.
When Fear Feels Too Big
Sometimes fear and discouragement settle in deeply and will not lift. If you feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or unable to function, please reach out to a pastor, a trusted friend, or a counselor or doctor. If you are in the U.S. and are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Asking for help is itself an act of courage.
Today, Try This
Identify one courageous step you have been avoiding. Write Joshua 1:9 on a card and carry it with you. Before you take the step, read the verse aloud and pray, “Lord, you are with me here.”
Reflection Question
Where is God calling you to take a courageous step, and what difference does his presence make as you face it?
Prayer
Lord, you know the challenges in front of me and the fears inside me. Thank you that you are with me wherever I go. Make me strong and courageous, not in my own strength but in yours. Fill my mind with your Word, and help me take the next faithful step today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joshua 1:9 mean?
Joshua 1:9 is God’s command to Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads Israel into the promised land. The reason God gives is his presence: the Lord would be with Joshua wherever he went.
How does the Bible define courage?
In Scripture, courage is faithful action in the face of fear, grounded in trust that God is present and keeps his promises. It is not the absence of fear but obedience while afraid.
How can I build courage as a Christian?
Meditate on God’s promises (Joshua 1:8), pray honestly about your fears, take small faithful steps, and draw strength from other believers. Over time, trust in God’s presence grows into steady courage.