Be Bold Be Strong

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

There are seasons in life when God calls us out of the familiar into the unknown—times when our strength feels small and the challenges ahead seem insurmountable. These moments test not only our resolve but our faith. In Joshua chapter 1, we find one of the clearest calls in Scripture to boldness and courage, not based on self-confidence, but on God’s presence and promises.

Joshua had spent years in the shadow of Moses, the great leader who had led Israel out of Egypt. Now, with Moses gone, the weight of leadership rested squarely on Joshua’s shoulders. The task before him? Lead an entire nation into the Promised Land—territory filled with fortified cities, powerful enemies, and uncertainty. Yet amid this daunting call, God speaks a powerful word that echoes through generations: “Be strong and courageous.”

God’s Command: Be Strong and Courageous

Notice that God doesn’t offer this as a suggestion. It’s a command—repeated three times in the first nine verses (vv. 6, 7, and 9). Why the repetition? Because courage often needs reinforcement. Fear is a natural reaction to the unknown, but faith is a supernatural response to God’s word.

God wasn’t asking Joshua to muster up inner strength or rely on natural abilities. Instead, He was calling Joshua to a boldness rooted in divine promise. In verse 5, God says, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That promise changes everything.

Courage in the life of a believer is not bravado or recklessness; it’s confidence in the unshakable presence of God. When we know He goes before us, boldness becomes a byproduct of trust.

Grounded in the Word

In verses 7–8, God adds a crucial element to walking in courage: the Word of God.

“Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left… Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…”

True courage is anchored in truth. When we saturate our minds with God’s Word, it reshapes our thinking, renews our strength, and aligns our steps with His will. Courage flows from clarity—and there is no greater clarity than knowing God’s promises and instructions.

When the path ahead seems overwhelming, Scripture becomes our roadmap and our reassurance. It’s no coincidence that many of the greatest heroes of faith—David, Esther, Paul—were people of the Word. They knew the voice of God, and that knowledge bred boldness.j

Facing the “Jerichos” of Life

Soon after this divine commission, Joshua faces his first major challenge: the walls of Jericho. This fortified city was the first of many obstacles in the Promised Land. But God’s strategy wasn’t military might or human logic—it was obedience and faith.

In the same way, we will face our own “Jerichos”—those towering problems that seem impossible to conquer. It may be fear of failure, a daunting career step, a call to ministry, or even confronting a painful past. But like Joshua, we’re not called to face them in our own strength.

Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means we obey in spite of fear, trusting that God is bigger than the walls before us.

His Presence is Our Boldness

The final verse of Joshua 1 is worth repeating: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This is the cornerstone of boldness: God is with us. Not occasionally, not only when we’re doing well, but always. His presence is our confidence. His power is our strength. And His promises are our fuel.

Throughout Scripture, God’s presence is the deciding factor in moments of courage:

• Moses stood before Pharaoh because God was with him.

• David ran toward Goliath because he knew God’s power.

• Esther risked her life before the king because she trusted in God’s timing.

• The apostles preached with boldness, knowing the Holy Spirit was upon them.

What God said to Joshua, He says to you today: “Be strong and courageous.” Not because you’re enough on your own—but because He is more than enough.

Reflection Questions

1. What area of your life is God calling you to step into with courage?

2. Are you grounding your boldness in God’s Word and presence—or relying on your own strength?

3. What “walls” in your life need to fall through faith and obedience?

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your constant presence and unchanging promises. Help me to walk boldly into the things You’ve called me to, even when fear and uncertainty try to hold me back. Strengthen me through Your Word, and let Your Spirit lead me with courage each day. I choose to trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.