Joshua 1: Be Strong

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ 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.” -Joshua 1:7-9

Joshua 1 includes some of the most motivational words in Scripture. When God called Joshua, he came as a cheerleader. His words of blessing to Joshua inspired the confidence this new leader needed to move forward in faith during a critical crossroads in Israel’s history.

First, we read the command: “Be strong and very courageous.” These are the words we all long to hear from God.

Second, we read the caution: “Be careful…” Be careful to what? To obey God’s ways. This included reading it, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1), and applying it.

Third, we read the commission: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Similar to the Great Commission given to Christ’s followers just before his ascension, Joshua is reminded God will be present with him and provide everything needed for success.

While Joshua’s calling was unique, these three traits are universal to all believers in Christ today. We are commanded to be courageous, to to be careful to live according to God’s ways, and to trust in his presence with us at all times. If God is for us, who can be against us? The answer? No one.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.