Be Strong and Courageous: The Time to Lead Is Now

Oct 11, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping Into Leadership When Others Step Aside

Joshua stood on the balcony reading God’s call to lead, unaware pastors were already knocking to hand him responsibility. Leadership often arrives unannounced, demanding courage to fill empty spaces left by those who’ve gone before. God doesn’t wait for perfect qualifications—He equips the willing. When seasons shift, He invites ordinary people to pick up mantles they never auditioned for. Success depends not on human ability but divine partnership. [01:03:26]

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.’”
(Joshua 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Where is God asking you to lead in this season, even if you feel unprepared? What fears need surrendering to say “yes” today?

Day 2: Threefold Courage for Uncharted Territory

“Be strong and courageous” repeats like a drumbeat in Joshua 1—not a suggestion but a command. Courage multiplies when rooted in God’s presence, not circumstances. The Israelites faced walled cities and giants, yet their victory depended on obedience, not military strategy. True courage isn’t the absence of fear but the presence of trust. God’s faithfulness to Moses became the foundation for Joshua’s boldness. [01:04:51]

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.”
(Joshua 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What “walled city” in your life requires courage to confront? How does God’s promise of presence change your approach?

Day 3: Claiming Territory Through Obedient Steps

Every place Joshua’s foot touched was already his—he just had to walk there. Promises remain unclaimed until faith becomes action. The Jordan River didn’t part until priests stepped into the current. Spiritual inheritance isn’t passive; it’s seized through obedient movement. Your workplace, neighborhood, and relationships are territories waiting for Christ’s claim through your faithful steps. [01:22:18]

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 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.”
(Joshua 1:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: Where is God prompting you to “tread” boldly this week? What excuses hinder you from claiming promised ground?

Day 4: Night Watches and Daily Success

Success came through midnight meditation, not daytime hustle. Joshua’s command to dwell on Scripture day and night transformed anxiety into ammunition. Like David rehearsing God’s faithfulness during night watches, we combat fear by filling our minds with truth. Victory begins in the quiet moments when we let God’s Word rewrite our inner dialogue. [01:39:19]

“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 Scripture will you meditate on tonight when worries arise? How could daily immersion in God’s Word reshape your definition of success?

Day 5: Speaking Courage Over Others

The Israelites circled back to encourage Joshua with his own mantra: “Be strong and courageous.” Courage multiplies when communities echo God’s promises to one another. Just as Rick pushed a trembling Marine to pray aloud, we’re called to ignite boldness in those around us. Your words can activate someone else’s destiny. [01:44:03]

“And they answered Joshua, ‘All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses!’”
(Joshua 1:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: Who needs you to speak courage over them this week? How can you intentionally strengthen someone’s faith through your words?

Sermon Summary

Joshua 1:1-9 opens with a hard reality: “Moses, my servant, is dead.” God does not let Joshua live under the shadow of what was. God tells him, “The time has come for you to lead.” Joshua is stepping into something bigger than himself, taking over after one of the most revered men in the Bible, but God does not ask him to manufacture confidence. God calls him to rise up because God has already spoken.

The call to lead is not only for a pastor, a missionary, or somebody with a title. Intentional leadership looks like a gunny on a ship making time for a young Marine, teaching him how to pray, study the Bible, preach for three minutes, clean toilets, and share the gospel after rejection. God uses somebody who simply says yes and takes responsibility for the person in front of them. Joshua’s life shows that people are attached to another person’s obedience, gift, and willingness to lead.

God gives Joshua promises before He gives Joshua commands. The land is already given, even though enemies are still in it. The promise does not mean there will be no fight. The promise means Joshua can take the fight to the enemy with confidence because God has already gone before him. Jesus takes the boundaries off that promise in the Great Commission. The command is already clear: go into all the world, preach the gospel, and make disciples.

God’s promise rests on the character of the Promiser. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” God is omnipotent. He has no rival, no equal, and no enemy that can stand across the battlefield from Him. The same Holy Ghost power that raised Christ from the dead lives in believers. Nobody receives a “Holy Spirit Junior” or a “Holy Spirit light.”

Joshua also receives commands: be strong and courageous, obey the Word, do not turn right or left, study it continually, and meditate on it day and night. Biblical success is not merely money, a house, or retirement plans. True success is standing at the end of life unashamed in the presence of God. The Word changes thoughts, actions, and circumstances when it is put deep into the heart. Meditation means filling the mind with God’s truth until His promises push out the devil’s lies.

Joshua ends with the people repeating God’s own word back to their leader: “Be strong and courageous.” God’s Word belongs in homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and every place where somebody needs courage to lead. The time to lead is now.

Key Takeaways

1. The time has come to lead God does not wait until a person feels fully qualified before calling that person forward. Joshua received his assignment after Moses died, in a moment that could have felt overwhelming and impossible. Intentional leadership begins when somebody accepts responsibility for serving, discipling, and pointing others toward Christ right where God has placed them. [66:35]
2. God’s promises precede the battle God gave Israel the land before Israel possessed it, yet enemies still occupied that land. Resistance does not mean God has failed to speak; it can become the place where faith tests what God has promised. Courage grows when believers remember that God’s presence, not easy circumstances, secures the assignment. [82:55]
3. The Promiser makes every promise sure God’s promises are not empty words because God has all power to perform what He says. His omnipotence means no demon, ruler of darkness, or human opposition can become His equal. The Holy Spirit’s power is not a lesser version of God’s strength but the very power of God at work within believers. [88:20]
4. Meditate on truth, not fear The mind meditates constantly, either rehearsing God’s Word or turning over the enemy’s lies. Scripture hidden in the heart gives believers something true to hold when fear, lack, and uncertainty start talking at night. God’s Word turns anxious mental noise into faith, praise, and obedience. [99:19]
5. Success means standing unashamed before God God’s definition of success reaches further than money, possessions, or public recognition. Obedience to His Word prepares a life to stand before Him without shame, covered by the blood of Jesus and marked by faithfulness. This kind of success requires strength and very courage in a sinful culture.

## [97:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[61:00] - Reading Joshua in Italy
[63:26] - Be Strong and Courageous
[66:35] - The Time Has Come to Lead
[68:09] - An Intentional Leader on the Ship
[74:56] - Courage to Share the Gospel
[78:36] - Taking Responsibility for the Amazon
[81:01] - Joshua Receives God’s Promises
[83:41] - Go Into All the World
[87:38] - The Faithfulness of the Promiser
[91:10] - Joshua Receives God’s Commands
[94:53] - Strong and Very Courageous
[97:18] - True Success Before God
[99:19] - Meditate on the Word Day and Night
[102:34] - Be Strong and Courageous Together
[106:00] - The Time to Lead Is Now

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 1:1-9
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 'Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 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 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.” [01:00:56]

Matthew 28:18-20
“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.” [01:23:41]

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” [01:29:07]

Observation questions

What change in leadership creates the setting for Joshua’s assignment in Joshua 1, and what does God tell Joshua to do next? [01:06:25]
What promises does God give Joshua before He gives him instructions about strength, courage, and obedience?
How often is Joshua told to be strong and courageous, and what different situations are connected to that command? [01:31:21]
What practical actions did the intentional leader on the ship take to help a young believer grow in prayer, Bible study, serving, and sharing the gospel? [01:09:33]

Interpretation questions

Why might God remind Joshua that Moses is dead before calling him to lead? What does this show about moving forward when a respected leader, a past season, or a familiar way of life is gone? [01:06:49]
God had already given Israel the land, yet enemies still occupied it. How does this help explain why resistance or difficulty does not necessarily mean that a believer has missed God’s direction? [01:22:49]
Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations and promises His presence with them. What does that mean for a believer who is waiting for a special permission before speaking about Christ? [01:23:41]
Joshua connects success with obeying and meditating on God’s Word. How does that definition of success differ from success measured mainly by money, comfort, possessions, or recognition? [01:37:37]

Application questions

Where might God be asking you to lead intentionally right now—in your home, workplace, school, neighborhood, or church? Is there one person in front of you whom you could begin encouraging toward Christ this week? [01:20:00]
What past failure, insecurity, or comparison to someone else has made you think, “God cannot use me”? How does Joshua’s calling challenge that belief? [01:07:08]
Think of a place where you have experienced pushback while trying to obey God or live openly for Jesus. How could God’s promise to be with His people change the way you respond there? [01:25:46]
Who helped you grow in your faith through intentional time, encouragement, correction, or example? How could you begin offering that kind of steady investment to someone else? [01:13:25]
When fear or uncertainty starts talking loudly—especially at night—what lies tend to replay in your mind? What specific truth from Scripture could you put in your heart and rehearse instead? [01:39:19]
What would it look like for you to measure success by standing before God unashamed rather than by what others can see? Is there an area of obedience that calls for “strong and very courageous” faith this week? [01:34:53]

Sermon Clips

41s

#BoldFaith

“and he did what he said he would do. Now I wanna tell you so many people want to have testimonies for God, but the only way you're gonna have a testimony is if you step out and you're bold and courageous and do what he's calling you to do. There's so many people, so many Christians I meet, they say, man, I wish I knew what God was calling me to do. I can tell you what he's calling you to do. Be bold and courageous. Share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people, and watch what he'll do. Watch what doors he'll open up. Watch what things he'll cause you to do and places he'll cause you to go. It's crazy. I never dreamed I'd be doing the things that I'm doing today.”

44s

#OmnipotentGod

“I love to think about omnipotence because what it means is is when god comes out in battle array, when God comes out on the battlefield, there is no equal that can stand across from him. That's what it means. Omnipotence means there is no rival. There is no equal. When God rises up, who's gonna stand against him? Nobody. They're gonna flee. And that same God is the God that lives on the inside of you and me. That same God is the God that made the promises to Moses and to Joshua and to Rick and to James and to Bruce and to Angela and to you and to you and to you. It's the same God. It's the same Holy Spirit.”

35s

#WalkByFaith

“It's already given to them. They just had to take the fight to the enemy. They just had to dispossess the enemy from the land that God had already given to them. Some of us in the body of Christ today need to wake up and understand that when we walk into a place where there is a pushback, when we walk into a place where it doesn't just happen right away, that is God giving you an opportunity to test his promises and to walk in faith in his word because it's already been given to you. You've just gotta walk it out.”

33s

#StudyTheWord

“A lot of people say, I don't know what to do. Do what the word says. I don't know what to do. Do what the word says. He said, study this book continually. Meditate on it day and night to obey everything written in it. This is what's so amazing when you look at this. Study this book continually. Notice he didn't say listen to it. He didn't say read it. Those are great. That's where you start with the word, hearing the word and reading the word.”

33s

#TrueSuccess

“I mean, you name it. We would all have different thing or or there's all kinds of things. I read a definition of success years ago that changed my life, and it said this. True success is standing at the end of your life unashamed in the presence of God. And I said, God, that's what I want. I want to stand unashamed in the presence of God. The only way I'm gonna do that is by the blood of Jesus being applied to my life and me doing what the word of God says.”

30s

#GoAndPreach

“You don't need a go. Many Christians are waiting for a go. They're waiting for God to clearly define something and clearly say something when he's already clearly said in his word, go into all the world and preach the gospel. Go into all the world and make disciples. Don't wait for permission from somebody else. Look at what God has already spoken and what God has promised to you.”

26s

#ShareTheGospel

“He was walking right over to me. He said, listen. I saw what happened and he said, I'm telling you right now, James. He said, the devil is not gonna win in your life. He said, he's not gonna do it. He said, you're gonna take this track, and the next person that comes by, you're gonna share the gospel with him. And I was more afraid of him than I was the other people. So I did what he told me to do, and I'm gonna tell you something broke off of my life.”

39s

#ProsperAndSucceed

“Why should I study and why should I meditate? He tells me what the results are right here. The results of being strong and courageous, of studying continually and meditating on the word is that you will be prosperous and succeed in all you do. Notice it doesn't say you might be. Notice it doesn't say you could be. Notice it doesn't say your neighbor will be. The pastor will be. The missionary will be. No. It says, you will be. You will be prosperous, and you will be successful in all you do.”

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