Be Strong and Courageous
(Joshua 1:1–9)
The Need for Peace
We live in a restless world—conflict between nations, divisions in communities, and anxieties in our own hearts. True peace feels elusive. For Ancient Israel, peace was tied to the Promised Land. After centuries of slavery in Egypt and decades of wandering in the wilderness, they stood on the edge of inheritance. Yet peace would not come without a fight. The story of Joshua begins in this moment of tension, when God’s people were about to step into the land He had promised. What they needed wasn’t more resources or better strategies—it was courage rooted in God’s presence and His promises.
The Call to Courage
Joshua’s commissioning is one of the most famous moments in Scripture. Three times God tells him: “Be strong and courageous.” These weren’t empty words of motivation—they were rooted in divine promise. God reminded Joshua that He had already given the land and that He would never leave him or forsake him. Courage, then, was not about personality or bravado—it was about trust. For Joshua, the battles ahead were real and intimidating, but the greater reality was God’s unfailing presence. For us, the same is true. Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the choice to move forward because God goes with us.
Strength Through the Word
God didn’t just tell Joshua to be strong—He told him how. The key was the Law of Moses, the Word of God. Joshua was commanded to meditate on it day and night, to obey it without turning aside. Strength and success would come not from military power but from faithfulness to God’s Word. This is a reminder that real strength is spiritual before it is physical. In our battles—whether against temptation, fear, or discouragement—the Word of God becomes our anchor. The Scriptures train us to recognize truth, resist lies, and walk in obedience. Just like Joshua needed the Word to face fortified cities and foreign gods, we need it to face the challenges of our everyday lives!
Living Strong, Living Courageous
Joshua’s task was unique, but his call is timeless. Every follower of Christ is invited into a spiritual battle—not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. We are called to push back darkness, to bring peace where there is conflict, and to embody hope in a restless world. The courage we need doesn’t come from looking within but from fixing our eyes on the God who promises to be with us. As we step into unknowns, transitions, or daunting challenges, we can echo the words spoken to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” That promise is still true today, and it is enough.
— Aaron Dininny
Pastoral Resident, [OV]Church
