December 14: Joshua

Be Strong. Be Brave. Be Ready.

Joshua 1:9 KJV
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Sharon Campbell-Danvers 

Does this verse apply to going somewhere specific?
Yes.

Joshua 1:9 was first spoken to Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land. It was a very real geographical transition. Joshua was stepping into new territory, new responsibility, and new challenges. He was leaving behind the wilderness season and entering a place he had never lived before. God was reassuring him that he was not stepping alone.

But the verse is not limited to geography.

It applies to every transition, every assignment, every unknown moment, and every season that requires courage. God spoke these words because Joshua was about to move forward into something unfamiliar. God understood the fear that rises when we step into the unknown.

Why would God tell Joshua this?

Because God knew Joshua would feel:
Fear
Uncertainty
The weight of leadership
The discomfort of change
The anxiety that comes with stepping into a new place

Joshua had served under Moses. He had watched Moses lead. He had seen miracles. But now the responsibility rested on him. God was preparing his heart.

God was saying:
Joshua, you will face battles.
Joshua, you will walk into unfamiliar places.
Joshua, you will feel unqualified at times.
But do not fear.
I am with you everywhere you go.

Life Transitions and the Joshua Experience

Where are you going?
What are you stepping into?
What new chapter stands before you?

Making life transitions is never easy, especially when you have to leave your friends and family behind. Sometimes God asks us to walk away from what feels familiar. Our comfort. Our routines. The place where we knew who we were and what we could do. What we built. What we achieved.

Starting over can feel unsettling. It can shake your confidence. It can produce anxiety and pressure. Movement can bring seasons of uncertainty. It can make us question ourselves. It can make us question our decisions.

I have had many such experiences in my own life. Moments where I had to step into a new region, a new responsibility, a new assignment. Times when I felt the weight of leaving something behind that once felt secure. But like Joshua, God instructed me. He assured me that he would be with me. His presence became my confidence. His promise became my courage. His voice became my strength.

The Message

God is still speaking the exact words:
Be strong.
Be brave.
Be ready.

Not because the journey will be easy, but because his presence will be certain.
Not because we know the whole path, but because he walks beside us.
Not because we feel fearless, but because he gives courage in the moment we need it.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us that the call of God always comes with God's companionship. If he sends you, he goes with you. If he directs you, he covers you. If he leads you, he strengthens you.

Reflection

• What transition am I facing right now?
• What fears arise when I think about moving forward?
• Where do I sense God reassuring me of his presence?
• What step of courage can I take today?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the promise you gave to Joshua. Thank you for your words that still speak life and courage today. Strengthen my heart for every transition I face. Help me to trust your presence when I cannot clearly see the path. Go with me into every new beginning. Fill me with courage, confidence, and peace. I choose to move forward knowing that you are with me wherever I go.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.