Be Strong and Courageous: Bible Study on Joshua 1:9

There are moments in which we need to make an important decision or take a step of faith and we read the verse from Joshua 1:9 seeking encouragement and strength.

There we find the promise that God would accompany Joshua wherever he went, and we like to claim that promise as our own. The story behind the verse manifests God's faithfulness and goodness towards Joshua and his people. Now then, who was Joshua and under what circumstances did he receive that promise?

God chooses some people from youth to do a specific work, and Joshua is an example. He was born in Egypt under the slavery and oppression of Pharaoh. In Exodus 17, he is mentioned for the first time when Moses appointed him as leader of a group that would go to fight the Amalekites in Rephidim. That is the first of several victories that Joshua would experience during his life. Joshua did not know it yet, but one day he would be Moses' successor, leading the people.

In his youth, Joshua was Moses' assistant; he kept watch in front of the Tabernacle, where God spoke face to face with Moses and gave him instructions for the people. Joshua took his job very seriously and stood out for his dedication.

The true name of Joshua was Hoshea, but Moses changed it to Joshua, which means "Jehovah is salvation." He was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent to explore Canaan, the land that God had promised to give to the Israelites. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to give a positive and faith-filled report, encouraging the people to obey God and go to conquer the land of Canaan. Thanks to their trust in God's promises, they were allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30).

Moses' Successor

When God informed Moses that his death was approaching, Moses asked for a new leader for the people (Numbers 27:17). God appointed Joshua because he was a man of great spirit, or in other words, he was a man in whom the Spirit of God dwelled (Numbers 27:18). Moses commissioned him as his successor before he died, and the people immediately recognized that his leadership came from God.

Promises and how he would receive them

In Joshua 1:1-9, God speaks directly to Joshua. He tells him that although Moses had died, His plan for the people continued to be in effect and would be fulfilled under Joshua's leadership. They would enter the Promised Land! God would give them every place where their feet would tread! In these verses, God also confirms His calling to Joshua and makes some promises to him.

Let's look at these promises and how he would obtain them:

1. Victory

No one would be able to stand against and defeat Joshua because God would be with him in the same way He had been during Moses' life and leadership. He would not triumph by his own strength; the power of God and His presence would lead him to victory. He only needed to trust, no matter how large or powerful the enemy might seem. He knew that God is greater and more powerful than any enemy!

2. The Inheritance

God would fulfill the promise He had made to Abraham and their ancestors: they would inherit the land of Canaan. Their eyes and faith should not be set on the physical strength that Joshua, the people, or their enemies may or may not have. Their eyes should be fixed on God and the strength He would grant them until they saw the fulfillment of the promise.

3. Success

Success would come and was assured, but it would require obedience. Under Moses, and through their history as God's people, they had learned the importance of obeying the law. Blessings and victories come as we express our trust in God by obeying His commands.

4. Prosperity

Joshua would see prosperity and success, win battles, and conquer the land of Canaan along with the people. The strategy to achieve this was not to get better weapons or train them better as soldiers. As a leader, he needed to have the word of God in his mouth and in his heart. He had to recite it day and night, meditate on it, speak of it, and obey all the instructions that were written there. That is how he would prosper and achieve success.

5. His Company

The command to be courageous and not to be afraid came with the best promise he could receive: he would have God's company. He would not be alone; God would be with Joshua wherever he went. Thanks to God's presence, he would triumph over fear and remain firm, trusting in the victory that was already his.

Read the story of Joshua.

The phrase "be strong and courageous"

Why are the encouraging phrases to Joshua repeated so often? We see that when God told Moses in Deuteronomy 1:38 that Joshua would be his successor and would lead the people to Canaan, He also told him that Joshua needed to be encouraged.

We see this again in Deuteronomy 31:7 and 8 when Moses commissions him as his successor, and then in verse 23 of the same chapter when God tells Joshua:

We do not know for certain why Joshua needed these encouraging phrases. Did he compare himself to Moses and think he was not up to the task? Did he see the obstacles to face as too great? We don’t know. But what we do know is that he did it: he was very brave and worked hard in his role. He trusted God with all his heart, obeyed the commands of the law, and was able to enjoy God’s presence and blessings until he entered the Promised Land with the people and throughout the rest of his life.

In the same way, we can be sure that we will receive the promises that God has given us. When we obey God and live in a way that glorifies Him, we see how He fulfills His promises and enjoy His blessings. Just like Joshua, we will win the battles life presents to us, holding God's hand. He always keeps His promises, and with Him, we can be encouraged and courageous.

God really raised up Joshua, and prepared him for the great mission of his life: to conquer Canaan. The first great challenge was the city of Jericho. Like Joshua, we can take hold of this word of encouragement and strength.

The 3 Key Lessons from Joshua 1:9

In this short and powerful Bible verse, we can take away with us:

1. Be strong and brave!

God knows what he is doing, he knows everything! If God has given you a challenge, hold your head high, be strong and courageous. We are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9). God empowers his chosen ones and you have been chosen by the Almighty.

God does not give us a burden greater than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Trials mature our faith and our intimacy with God. This should not be a cause for sadness, but for joy, because the trial of faith produces perseverance and spiritual growth (James 1:2-4).

One detail that makes all the difference: God's Word encourages and strengthens us. God advised Joshua to meditate "day and night" on the Book of the Law, so that everything promised to him would be fulfilled (Joshua 1:8). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

The Bible is the real nutrition to face any challenge! Make God's Word your daily diet and take hold of his promises.

2. Don't be scared or discouraged!

Certain situations in life may lead us to become discouraged and terrified. These reactions can occur when we only focus on the difficulties and forget that "God is not with us".

The only thing that can keep us from God's presence is sin. And only forgiveness and repentance can bring us closer to him. If you feel you are far from the Father, ask for forgiveness and truly seek him.

In the book of Matthew, we read about a time when the disciples were terrified by a fierce storm, even though Jesus was with them in the boat the whole time! After exhausting their strength, they turned to Jesus - who was sleeping peacefully - and he immediately calmed the sea with his voice (Matthew 8:24-25).

When Jesus woke up, he asked the disciples: "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). Don't be afraid or discouraged, Jesus is with you in the same boat!

3. God will be with you wherever you go!

Wherever Joshua set foot, God was with him. Even before Joshua began, God showed him everything that could be achieved by obeying His Word and communing with Him (Joshua 8:3-5).

Reading the Bible allows us to learn about God's promises. God has not left us without support. He sent His Son to save us (John 3:16) and left us the Holy Spirit to counsel and sanctify us (John 14:16-18).

If we walk according to God's Word, miracles and wonders will happen! This was always the case with Joshua, and it will be like that with everyone who chooses to walk according to God's Word (2 Samuel 22:31-33). He will be with you wherever you go!

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