What Bible verse tells us to be strong and courageous?
Joshua 1:9 is a passage of Scripture in which God commands Joshua to be bold. It’s not only a Bible verse for Joshua, but for every person who calls upon the name Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Even though Joshua was a great and powerful leader in Israel, he needed encouragement from God, just like each one of us does today.
The verse itself is encouragement in itself, but let’s take a deeper look at who Joshua was and what was going on during the time God spoke these words. We will also look more into the topic of being strong and courageous as Christians in modern society.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Who Was Joshua In The Bible?
Joshua’s original name was Hoshea, but Moses changed his name to Joshua in Numbers 13:16. He was identified as one of the twelve spies who were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1-16).
Also, he was one of the two people who proved more faithful and trusting to God than the other spies who were sent.
Joshua’s response (along with Caleb) to the fearful nation of Israel who was lacking in trust reflects a heart and mind that was devoted to trusting God no matter the situation.
5 Immediately, Moses and Aaron bowed with their faces touching the ground in front of the whole community of Israel assembled there. 6 At the same time, two of those who had explored the land, Joshua (son of Nun) and Caleb (son of Jephunneh), tore their clothes in despair. 7 They said to the whole community of Israel, “The land we explored is very good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us. This is a land flowing with milk and honey! 9 Don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. We will devour them like bread. They have no protection, and the Lord is with us. So don’t be afraid of them.”
Numbers 14:5-9
In this passage found in Numbers 14, we see a very bold and courageous Joshua, and yet later on in the book of Joshua, we see him still in need of a Word of encouragement and strengthening by God.
Just like Joshua, we too need God’s help, this comes through His Word and prayer. Through these daily godly habits, we can have faith similar to Joshua’s and trust God.
After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua and made him the new leader of Israel who would take them into the promise land (Joshua 1:1-2).
He is one of the two (the other being Caleb), who was born in Egypt and made it into the promise land.
Learn more about Joshua and his character by downloading this complimentary informational PDF provided by unai.edu. You can download the PDF here.
An Encouraging Word From God
Moses, the leader of Israel, had just passed away and it was time for Joshua to take over.
Let’s explore a few verses prior to our focus text of Joshua 1:9 and see what else God tells Joshua.
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:5
What an amazing Word from God! He’s essentially communicating to Joshua that He has his back no matter what happens along this journey of leadership, but God goes on to let Joshua know the key to this protection and presence from the Lord. This is crucial not just for Joshua, but for ourselves as well.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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
The Bible is God’s Word to us and it’s the golden ticket to success in our Christian lives. That doesn’t mean life will be problem-free, but it does mean we can handle anything that comes our way!
As you can see now a little clearer, in Joshua 1:9 it wasn’t Joshua’s strength and courage that was needed at the time, but God’s strength and courage in and through Joshua’s life.
As Christians, we shouldn’t be self-confident in ourselves and our abilities, but instead God-confident.
How Do Christians Gain Confidence?
Christians gain confidence by relying on God instead of themselves. It’s only through the act of humility that a Christian can gain true and lasting confidence which has nothing to do with them and everything to do with God.
Knowing God and His Word is the foundation to being strong and courageous.
Bible Verses About Being Strong and Courageous
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10
In order to be strong and courageous, we must approach God in humility. Lowering ourselves to the floor not only physically, but mentally and fully.
We must be in submission to the Lord in order for His strength, power, and confidence to live and breathe through our lives.
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
Proverbs 14:26
And His children will have a place of refuge.
Fear, not the kind of fear that fills us with a sense of dread, but instead, the holy and reverent fear of God that leaves us in awe, must be rooted firmly in our hearts and minds. This kind of fear is crucial.
This kind of fear is cultivated through studying God. We do this primarily through reading the Bible, but I encourage you to pick up copies of books that focus on the attributes and holiness of God.
Two that I recommend are The Holiness Of God by R.C. Sproul and The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.
Fear not, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
The final Bible verse I want to share with you about being strong and courageous comes from Isaiah 41. The sweet Word of God encourages us here not to be fearful.
We can walk and live with full confidence knowing that God is with us wherever we go. He is our strength and courage in times of doubt and uncertainty. All we must do is cling to Him!
How Do I Ask God For Confidence?
You ask God for confidence by boldly following what God told Joshua to do in Joshua 1:8.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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
As Christians who desire to please God and obey His Word, we must start by having a relationship with Him. This comes through prayer (talking to God) and reading the Bible (hearing from God).
If you need help with getting into a routine, I suggest reading the article I wrote about things every Christian should do and get started today!