Be Strong and Courageous | Joshua 1:5-9

Devotional

Day 1: God’s presence crushes fear and creates courage.

The world often operates from a place of caution, but the call on our lives is one of courage. This courage is not something we must manufacture from within ourselves, for our own strength will always fall short. True, lasting courage is a gift that flows from a settled knowledge of who is with us. When we understand that the Lord Himself is by our side, our fears are put in their proper perspective and we are empowered to move forward. [01:45]

“Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them.” (Joshua 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is a specific situation in your life, whether a relationship, a ministry calling, or a personal challenge, where you are currently relying more on your own caution than on God’s promised presence? How might acknowledging His presence with you change your approach to that situation this week?

Day 2: Courage is fueled by who is beside you.

Our ability to face daunting circumstances does not originate from a internal reservoir of bravery. It is directly linked to our awareness of the One who accompanies us. Just as a child gains confidence from a parent’s nearness, we find our resolve strengthened by the certainty of God’s presence. This external source of strength equips us for obedience when we would otherwise be paralyzed by fear. [06:51]

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Where are you facing a “hornet’s nest” that feels too big for you to handle on your own? What would it look like to consciously take a step into that challenge this week, not because you feel brave, but because you are choosing to trust in who is with you?

Day 3: Flourishing is linked to obedience, and obedience to courage.

A spirit of fear often leads us away from God’s commands, as we prioritize avoiding perceived negative outcomes over trusting His promises. Conversely, courage enables us to walk in obedience, even when it is difficult or frightening. This pathway of courageous obedience is the very route God has designed for us to experience the fullness of life and blessing He intends. [10:41]

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a recent decision where a fear of potential hardship or outcome led you to compromise or disobey what you knew to be right? How might embracing God’s courage have changed your choice and set you on a path toward greater flourishing?

Day 4: God’s Word fortifies us against being carried away by fear.

The remedy for the anxieties of our moment is not the newest piece of information, but the oldest, most enduring truths. Consistent meditation on Scripture renews our mind and anchors our heart in the reality of God’s character and promises. This daily practice builds a resilience that protects us from being swept away by a spirit of fear and unbelief. [15:02]

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one “old truth” from Scripture—such as God’s sovereignty, Christ’s victory, or your secure future—that you need to meditate on this week to combat a specific fear that has been unsettling you?

Day 5: We are sent on mission with the promise of His presence.

The command to be strong and courageous was given to Joshua because he was facing a difficult mission. Similarly, Jesus sends His followers into the world with the same promise of His abiding presence. We should not be surprised by challenges; instead, we are to build resilient lives grounded in the certainty that He is with us in every step of the mission. [24:33]

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

Reflection: As you consider the mission God has given you—whether in your family, community, or the world—what is one area where you have been hesitating due to a fear of difficulty? How does the promise that He is with you always empower you to take a next step of faithful obedience?

Sermon Summary

Five-year vision frames a call to courageous faith: God's presence crushes fear and produces the courage required for mission. Joshua 1 anchors the promise that the same God who stood with Moses will stand with those sent into the land. Courage does not spring from inward grit or cultural exhortations to “look inside”; courage flows from knowing who is beside the people and from the promise, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” The scripture links courage directly to obedient action: resolute trust in God enables inheritance of the land and the flourishing God intends.

The word of God functions as the daily means of bearing that presence. Meditation on Scripture—those long, in-between moments of driving, waking, or waiting—cements truth into the heart so fear does not become a settled posture of unbelief. The distinction between instinctive fear (a sudden, bodily alarm) and the spirit of fear (a fixed decision to refuse God’s call) clarifies why ongoing engagement with the law and promise matters. When the word departs from the mouth and the heart, courage ebbs; when the word settles, courage rises.

Narrative examples underline the point: a child gains boldness when reminded who stands with him; Israel’s spies show how settled unbelief sabotages promise; Jesus’ Great Commission echoes Joshua’s command by promising presence “to the end of the age.” Mission will bring hard fights, surprises, and sustained trials. The church’s plan to see a thousand chosen children—through adoption, foster care, generosity, and families on the front lines—requires a backbone of steel that only God’s presence supplies.

Practical application tightens the call: discernment about faith must precede mission, and those who respond to God’s call to adopt, foster, or hold the ropes require communal prayer and blessing. Public commitment and prayer serve to catalyze God-given courage. The closing action invites standing, blessing, and commissioning so that families stepping into ministry receive the presence-fueled courage to face what comes and to lead others into the promised inheritance.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s presence produces courageous obedience Courage results from recognizing the Lord’s nearness, not from self-reliant resolve. When presence replaces inward striving, fear loses its power to drive disobedience. That presence reorients motives so obedience becomes the path to flourishing and inheritance. [01:45]
2. Courage links obedience to flourishing Obedience measured by resolve and faithfulness produces the flourishing God promised to the people. Fear-driven retreat leads to loss; resolute trust opens the way to inherit what God swore to the fathers. Pursuing obedience becomes a spiritual economy that translates courage into fruit. [09:35]
3. Meditation anchors courage daily Meditation in the “in-between” moments lets old truths settle under the skin and shape choices. Constant consumption of new content cannot replace steady exposure to Scripture that forms confidence. Deliberate, repeated remembrance of God’s promises prevents fear from hardening into unbelief. [18:24]
4. Mission demands resolute, God-given courage Entering the work God calls for will bring predictable hardship and surprise; preparation must build resilience, not anxiety-driven avoidance. Standing on mission means embracing risk because God’s presence accompanies the call. Community prayer, commitment, and practical support sustain frontline families in long seasons of struggle. [26:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Five-year vision and picture
[01:45] - Big idea: Presence crushes fear
[03:56] - Joshua 1: Promise of presence
[04:59] - Courage comes from God’s nearness
[09:35] - Obedience leads to flourishing
[13:13] - Word, meditation, and courage
[17:18] - Fear versus settled unbelief
[20:29] - Mission requires courage
[22:58] - Jesus and the Great Commission
[31:58] - Call to adopt, foster, stand
[35:33] - Prayer, blessing, and commissioning

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Joshua 1:5-9 (ESV)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Observation questions

According to the passage, what is the direct connection made between God's presence and the command to be courageous?
What two specific things are the people instructed to do with the "Book of the Law"?
What is the promised result of meditating on and obeying God's Word?
In the sermon, what distinction was made between instinctive fear and a "spirit of fear" as a settled decision of unbelief? [15:02]

Interpretation questions

Why would the promise "I will not leave you or forsake you" be so critical for Joshua and the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land?
How does a "spirit of fear" or settled unbelief actively sabotage God's promises for a person's life, as seen with the previous generation in Numbers 14? [17:38]
In what ways is the mission given to the church in Matthew 28 similar to the mission given to Joshua, and how does Jesus' promise in that passage address the same human need?
The sermon stated that "courage is created by who is beside you, not what is inside you." [06:51] What does this mean, and how does it contrast with the world's typical advice for finding courage?

Application questions

Where in your life right now are you facing a situation that requires a "backbone of steel" and God-given courage to move forward in obedience? [01:45]
What does "meditation" on Scripture look like in the "in-between" moments of your day (driving, waiting, falling asleep), and how could you be more intentional about replacing content consumption with letting old truths settle in your heart? [18:24]
The sermon argued that fear often leads to disobedience, like being afraid of a bad outcome leading someone to lie or cheat. [10:41] Can you identify a recent decision where fear, rather than faith, was the driving force behind your action or inaction?
Entering the work God calls us to will bring predictable hardship and surprise. [26:45] Instead of trying to predict and avoid every potential problem, how can you build a life that is resilient and prepared to withstand difficulty through trust in God's presence?
For those not called to the "front lines" of a specific ministry like adoption, what does it look like to "hold the rope" for those who are? [31:12] How can you provide practical support and prayer to sustain families in long seasons of struggle?
Is there a specific "yes" that God has been placing on your heart—a step of obedience in mission, generosity, or relationship—that you have been hesitant to commit to because of fear? What would it look like to put that "yes on the table" today? [06:51]

Sermon Clips

When you have gone through everything that they have gone through and then the guy that was at the helm carrying you through all that is gone, that's very scary. Moses is gone now. Alright? But here's the thing. This is what the lord is reminding them of. You don't have Moses, but you have the god of Moses. Moses was what does the scripture say? God's servant. So you don't have the guy, but you still have the god. And now he is gonna put someone else in place to continue to carry you. [00:05:22] (31 seconds) #GodStillWithUs

Be strong and courageous for God is with you. Be strong and courageous for God is with you. You don't have to predict the next fight, the next storm. If thinking about adoption and foster care, you don't have to think to yourself, well, man, is that gonna be hard? Is there gonna be something that comes that's hard from that? I can go ahead and solve that for you. Yes. You ain't gotta worry about that. Okay? It's gonna happen. Okay. The point is not to try to get away from it. The point is, can we by the lord presence in our life, can we be strong and courageous for he is with us? A life on mission are gonna have moments of great difficulty. [00:26:50] (42 seconds) #FaceTheStormWithGod

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Be Strong and Courageous | Joshua 1:5-9 | Andrew Hopper