Obedience, Trust, and Meditation on God’s Word for Courage

Biblical strength and courage are fundamentally rooted in God's word and are actively pursued through obedience, trust, speaking, and meditation on it. True prosperity and success are spiritual realities found in a relationship with God's promises, plan, and person, all revealed through His word.

God’s command to be strong and courageous, as given to Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9, is anchored in three divine sources: God’s promise, God’s plan, and God’s person. These sources provide the foundation for biblical strength, accessible through engagement with Scripture. Confidence arises from the certainty of God’s unwavering promises, the guidance of His plan, and the presence of His person, who never abandons His people ([02:29], [03:13], [03:50]).

Obedience to God’s word is the primary means of pursuing strength and courage. Complete adherence to God’s law, as instructed to Joshua, is essential because God’s word serves as the blueprint for success. Obedience requires submission and prioritizing God’s plan above personal desires, acknowledging that God’s wisdom is perfect and trustworthy ([06:59], [08:31], [09:00]). The transformative power of obedience is emphasized in James 1:22-25, which calls believers not only to hear God’s word but to do it, demonstrating trust in God’s wisdom.

Trust in God’s word is vital for courage. The instruction to Joshua not to deviate from God’s word symbolizes unwavering reliance on God’s guidance. Trusting God’s word means believing in the truth of His promises and the goodness of His instructions, even amid difficult circumstances. Scripture affirms that God’s word is trustworthy, perfect, and profitable, providing wisdom, joy, and assurance that God works all things for good (Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 8:28) ([13:42], [15:51], [16:19]). This trust involves acting on God’s promises despite uncertainty about outcomes.

Speaking God’s word is another essential practice for cultivating strength and courage. The law is to be continually spoken and murmured, indicating that God’s word should be internalized deeply enough to naturally flow from the heart in speech and action. This aligns with the principle that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45) ([16:53], [17:30]). Regularly speaking God’s word in daily life reinforces trust and obedience, embedding God’s truth into one’s character.

Meditation on God’s word is crucial for inner strength. Joshua’s instruction to meditate on the law day and night highlights the importance of filling the mind with God’s truth rather than emptying it. Christian meditation involves thoughtful contemplation and internalization of Scripture so that it continuously shapes thoughts, attitudes, and actions ([22:07], [23:02]). Consistent meditation leads to spiritual prosperity and stability, as illustrated in Psalm 1:2-3, fostering resilience and confidence rooted in God’s promises ([24:31]).

Belief in the entirety of God’s word is foundational to pursuing biblical strength and courage. The promise of success and prosperity in Joshua 1:7-8 is linked to obedience, trust, speaking, and meditation, all of which demonstrate faith in God’s promises ([27:38]). This success is spiritual, encompassing spiritual blessings, significance, and alignment with God’s purpose. Valuing God’s word through these practices evidences belief in His promises and results in spiritual prosperity ([28:47]).

Practical steps to cultivate biblical strength and courage include reading and studying God’s word, participating in life groups and Bible studies, and following a Bible reading plan. These actions reflect a commitment to valuing God’s word, which is the key to spiritual strength and courage ([33:12]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO