Sunday, January 18, 2026

Courage to Face Fear: God's Promise

A Sermon by Pastor Lyvers

In our moments of fear, God's command to Joshua echoes through time: Be strong and of good courage.

Listen

The command to "be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6) rings out as a clarion call to Joshua, standing on the brink of a new chapter in Israel's history. This command is not merely a suggestion; it is a divine charge rooted in God's unwavering promises. Joshua, having served faithfully under Moses, now faces the daunting task of leading the people into the Promised Land. The land is vast, the enemies formidable, and the path uncertain. Yet, God speaks directly into this fear, calling Joshua to strength and courage.

The Call to Courage

"Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6). This is not the courage of mere human resolve but a courage anchored in the promises of God. The Hebrew word for "strong," châzaq ^H2388, conveys the idea of fastening upon, to seize with strength and determination. It is a call to hold fast to God's promises, to cling to His word with tenacity.

In verse 7, the command is repeated with an added emphasis: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee." The courage God calls for is not just for battle but for obedience. It is a courage that enables Joshua to walk in the ways of the Lord, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left. This echoes the wisdom of Proverbs 4:27, "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil."

The Power of God's Word

The source of Joshua's strength and courage is found in his relationship with God's Word. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8). The Hebrew word hâgâh ^H1897 for "meditate" suggests a deep, continuous pondering, a murmuring of the heart over God's precepts. This meditation is not passive but active, leading to obedience and action.

Psalm 119:15 captures this beautifully: "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." The Word of God is not just to be read but to be lived, shaping our thoughts, guiding our actions, and filling our hearts.

God's Presence: Our Assurance

"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" (Joshua 1:9). Here lies the heart of the command: God's presence. The assurance of His presence dispels fear and dismay. Just as God assured Jacob in Genesis 28:15, "I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest," so He assures Joshua.

This promise is not isolated. In Isaiah 43:5, God declares, "Fear not: for I am with thee." The presence of God is the bedrock of our courage, the anchor in our storms, and the light in our darkness.

The Doctrine of God's Faithfulness

This passage touches on the doctrine of God's faithfulness. God, who promised the land to the forefathers, is faithful to fulfill His word. His commands are backed by His character. As we see in Deuteronomy 31:7, Moses charged Joshua to be strong and courageous because the LORD had sworn to give them the land. God's faithfulness is our assurance that His promises are true and His presence is real.

Application: Courage in Our Lives

How does this ancient charge to Joshua speak to us today? We, too, face fears and uncertainties. The courage God calls us to is not a denial of fear but a steadfast trust in His promises and presence. Whether facing personal trials, societal pressures, or spiritual battles, we are called to "be strong and of a good courage."

Let us meditate on God's Word, allowing it to shape our hearts and minds. As Colossians 3:16 exhorts, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." In doing so, we find the strength to obey, the courage to stand firm, and the grace to persevere.

A Closing Call

Dear friends, let us heed God's call to Joshua as His call to us. "Be strong and of a good courage." Our strength is not in ourselves but in the Lord who goes with us. Let us walk boldly, knowing that the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.

May we find our courage in His promises, our strength in His presence, and our hope in His faithfulness.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that calls us to be strong and courageous. Help us to meditate on Your promises and walk in obedience. Remind us of Your presence with us in every trial and fear. Strengthen our hearts and fill us with Your peace. In Jesus' name, amen.

Scriptures cited

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”
Joshua 1:7 “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whi…”
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,…”
Joshua 1:9 “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.”
Proverbs 4:27 “Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
Psalm 119:15 “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.”
Genesis 28:15 “And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.”
Isaiah 43:5 “Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 31:7 “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and …”

Word studies

H2388
H1897