Joshua 1:9: be strong and of a good courage
Moses was dead. For forty years he had led Israel through the wilderness, spoken with God face to face and brought the people to the edge of the Promised Land. Now the task fell to his assistant, Joshua. Ahead lay the Jordan River and fortified cities. It is no surprise that God’s first words to the new leader were about courage: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9, KJV).
A command repeated and the reason
God says, “Have not I commanded thee?” Courage here is an instruction as well as a feeling. Joshua is told to choose courage. In the first chapter of Joshua, God tells him to be strong and courageous three times. Repetition suggests Joshua needed to hear it more than once. The basis for courage is not Joshua’s ability but God’s presence: “the LORD thy God is with thee”. The same promise was given to Moses.
God also tells Joshua to meditate on the book of the law day and night. Courage and obedience go together.
Fear, responsibility and courage
The command not to be afraid suggests Joshua felt fear. God does not scold him for it but gives him a reason to move forward. Many believers turn to this verse when starting a new job, ministry, marriage or season. Like Joshua, they may feel unprepared. The promise covers “whithersoever thou goest”. There is no place beyond God’s presence.
The people also encouraged Joshua, telling him, “only be strong and of a good courage”. We help each other be brave. Jesus echoed this promise: “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
A prayer and after the river
Lord, I am afraid of what lies ahead. Help me to be strong and courageous, because you are with me. What new responsibility is calling for your courage today? Joshua led the people across the Jordan and into the land. The courage God commanded became courage lived out, one step at a time. Joshua stood where Moses had stood and looked at a river he could not cross on his own. The courage God gave him rested on one fact: he would not cross it alone.
