Be Strong and Very Courageous

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”                                                                                                                                             Joshua 1:7 [NKJV]

As we enter the tenth month of the year, Joshua 1:7 has been deeply impressed upon my heart. When I read the whole chapter, I saw that God repeated the instruction three times (1:6, 7, and 9), which only underscores its weight.

In Scripture, the number ten is often associated with completeness, order, and the fulfilment of a cycle. As we step into this new month, we are piercing through into something God has prepared for us. It may be a breakthrough in employment, healing in your body, restoration in a relationship, provision for your household, or even the restoration of something God has placed within you—perhaps a calling or ministry that has been dormant. Whatever your new season looks like, I believe God is giving us an important instruction.

Crossing Into the Promised Land

Joshua received this command at a significant moment in Israel's history. Moses, God's servant and Israel's leader, had died. Now Joshua was being called to take up leadership and lead God's people across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. The transition would not be easy. Joshua was stepping into unfamiliar territory, facing challenges he had never encountered before. Yet God did not simply tell him to be brave in his own strength. He instructed Joshua to remain faithful to His Word.

God told Joshua to be strong and very courageous. But biblical courage is not self-confidence. It is confidence in God. True strength comes from depending upon Him rather than depending upon ourselves. When we recognise our own limitations and place our trust in the Lord, we discover that His strength is sufficient for everything He calls us to do. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us: “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Our strength is not found in circumstances, possessions, accomplishments, or the approval of others. Our strength is found in the Lord.

And one of the ways we remain close to Him is through obedience. Joshua was commanded to carefully observe the Law that God had given through Moses. As believers in Christ, we understand that Jesus fulfilled the Law.

 Jesus Himself said: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”                                                                                                                                Matthew 5:17 [NKJV]

Our obedience is therefore not an attempt to earn God's love or salvation. We obey because we love Him, trust Him, and desire to walk according to His will. Jesus has not called us to live according to our own understanding. He has called us to abide in Him and allow His Word to shape our lives. Obedience keeps our hearts aligned with God.

Joshua was given another important instruction: “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left.” How easily we can become distracted. We look at what someone else is doing and begin comparing our journey with theirs. We look back on yesterday and become trapped in regret. We look at tomorrow and become consumed by fear. We listen to the opinions of people around us and slowly lose sight of what God has spoken. But God calls us to stay on the path. There will always be voices competing for our attention. There will always be circumstances tempting us to doubt. But our calling is to remain anchored in God's Word and faithful to His ways.

The call to obedience does not mean that we accomplish God's purposes through our own strength. God is the One who enables us.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts.                                                                                                                  Zechariah 4:6 [NKJV]

What a beautiful comfort this is. The same God who calls us to be strong gives us the strength to stand. The same God who calls us to be courageous gives us the grace to endure. The same God who calls us to obedience gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us. We do not have to navigate this new month in our own strength.

When Joshua obeyed God's instructions, God promised that he would prosper wherever he went. This does not mean that following God guarantees a life without difficulty, suffering, disappointment, or hardship. Joshua's journey certainly included battles and challenges. Biblical prosperity must therefore be understood in the context of walking faithfully with God and fulfilling His purposes—not simply as material success or a life free from trouble. Our greatest prosperity is found in being aligned with God's will. When we remain rooted in His Word, surrender our plans to Him, and walk in obedience, we can trust Him with the outcome.

My child, be encouraged this month.

God has not forgotten you. He sees where you are. He knows what you have walked through. He knows the battles you have faced, the prayers you have prayed, and the things you have surrendered to Him.

·         As you enter this new month, remain in Him.

·         Be strong.

·         Be very courageous.

·         Resist evil.

·         Walk in obedience.

·         Do not compare your journey with someone else's.

·         Do not allow yesterday to determine your tomorrow.

·         Do not allow fear to dictate your decisions.

Fix your eyes on Jesus alone. Yesterday is gone. Today is in His hands. And your future is in His hands. Whatever comes this month, remember the word of the Lord:

“Only be strong and very courageous.”

Let Us Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Word and for the instruction You have given us as we enter this new month. Holy Spirit, empower us to be strong and very courageous. Help us to trust You completely and not depend upon our own strength or understanding. Keep our hearts from comparison, distraction, fear, and discouragement. Help us not to turn to the right or to the left, but to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. Lord, we surrender our jobs, health, finances, relationships, families, ministry, dreams, plans, and everything You have entrusted to us. Give us grace to walk in obedience and faithfulness. When we are weak, strengthen us. When we are afraid, remind us of Your presence. When we are discouraged, restore our joy. When we are uncertain, help us trust You. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.