For forty years Moses had led Israel. Now he was dead, and Joshua had to lead about two million people across the Jordan River into a land full of enemies. That is a heavy load for anyone. Before Joshua took a single step, God spoke to him. Three times in nine verses God told him to be strong and courageous. New seasons can be frightening, whether it is a new job, a new country, a new baby or a loss. This passage shows us where true courage comes from.
A New Season, Same Promise
God began with a hard fact: “Moses my servant is dead.” Then He gave a clear command: arise and go over this Jordan (Joshua 1:2-5). Leaders change, but God’s purposes do not. He promised Joshua every place his foot would tread, and then added, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Joshua had heard similar words before, when Moses charged him in front of all Israel (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). Now God Himself confirmed them. The writer of Hebrews applies this same promise to every believer, so that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper” (Hebrews 13:5-6). When a season ends, it is natural to grieve. But we do not stay at the riverbank. The God of yesterday is the God of today.
What change are you facing right now, and what promise from today’s passage will you write down and keep with you this week?
Courage Rooted in the Word
God told Joshua to be very courageous in a surprising area: obeying His law, without turning to the right or the left (Joshua 1:7-8). “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth,” He said. Joshua was to meditate on it day and night and do what it said. That was the path to good success. Notice that success here means walking in God’s ways, not simply getting what we want. The blessed person delights in God’s law and becomes like a tree planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:1-3). James adds that we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22-25). It takes courage to obey God when the crowd goes another way.
What time and place will you set aside each day this week to read and meditate on God’s Word, even for fifteen minutes?
Fear Not, God Is Near
God ended with a question and a command: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed” (Joshua 1:9). The reason follows at once: the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the presence of God. Isaiah records the same comfort: fear not, for I am with you; I will strengthen you and help you (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus made this promise to all His disciples when He sent them into the world: “lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20). And Paul reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
What fear has kept you from obeying God in a specific area, and what courageous action will you take there by Saturday?
Conclusion
Joshua stood at the edge of the Jordan with a new role and a big challenge. God gave him three things: an unchanging promise, a Book to live by, and His own presence. Those same gifts are ours in Christ. Jesus, whose name is the New Testament form of Joshua, leads us into God’s rest. We can face every new season, not because we are strong, but because He is with us wherever we go.
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