Joshua 1 Devotional

Courage Grounded in a Promise

“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””Joshua 1:9 (BSB)

Joshua 1 opens with a death. Moses is gone, and the people stand on the far side of the Jordan with a new leader. The LORD's first words do not pretend otherwise (1:2). But they move straight to what has not changed: the land is still his gift, his oath to their fathers still stands, and the presence that went with Moses will now go with Joshua (1:3-6).

Three times God calls Joshua to courage (1:6, 7, 9), and each time the reason sits outside Joshua himself. He is to keep God's law close, speaking it and thinking on it day and night (1:8), because the God who gives the command also goes with him everywhere he is sent (1:9). Courage here is not a personality trait. It is the fruit of a promise. Hebrews takes God's pledge never to abandon his people and applies it to every believer (Hebrews 13:5). Whatever unfamiliar task is in front of you, the One who goes with you into it has not changed.

To think about: What new responsibility in front of you could you take up differently if you believed God's presence goes with you into it?