As Joshua stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, God didn’t minimize the challenges ahead. Taking possession of Canaan would require strength and courage. There would be battles to fight, walls to bring down, and enemies to face. Yet God’s command to “be strong and courageous” wasn’t just a call to muster human determination. It was a promise that God Himself would provide the strength needed for the journey.
Notice the reason God gives: “for you shall cause this people to inherit the land.” God’s promise made the outcome certain. Joshua’s success wasn’t dependent on his natural leadership abilities or military prowess; it was guaranteed by God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. This certainty gave Joshua a foundation for courage that no amount of self-confidence could provide.
The same principle applies to our lives today. Whatever God calls us to do-whether raising godly children, serving in ministry, standing for truth in a hostile workplace, or battling persistent sin-He provides the strength we need to accomplish it. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
True courage isn’t the absence of fear but the confidence that God’s purposes will prevail regardless of our limitations. It’s stepping forward in obedience even when we feel inadequate, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful.