Joshua 1:9's message of being strong, courageous, and trusting that God is with me deeply inspires my approach to business. Here’s how I apply it:
- Face Challenges with Confidence: Every business encounters obstacles—be it market fluctuations, competition, or internal struggles. I use this verse as motivation to confront difficulties head-on, believing in my ability to overcome them.
- Make Bold Decisions: Being strong and courageous means taking calculated risks when needed. Whether it's entering a new market, innovating services, or restructuring, remember that growth often comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone.
- Empower Your Team: Share the essence of this verse with my partner (wife). Encouraging her to be brave and resilient can foster a positive, supportive work culture.
- Seek Guidance and Stay Grounded: Just as the verse reassures of God's constant presence, staying grounded in my faith and seeking guidance in prayer or reflection can help me make wise, purposeful decisions.
- Persevere and Stay Hopeful: Running a business can be discouraging at times. Let this verse remind me to keep going, trusting that success is possible with effort, faith, and persistence.
Joshua 1:9 Meaning & Explanation (with Related Verses)
Published: Christianity Path. March 22, 2025.
“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.”
-King James Version (KJV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
-Amplified (AMP)
“Haven’t I commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Don’t be fearful or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-The Message Bible (MSG)
Joshua 1:9 Meaning
Joshua 1:9 is a powerful reminder of the strength and courage that God provides us. In this verse, God speaks directly to Joshua, who has just taken over leadership of the Israelites after Moses. This moment is critical; Joshua is about to lead his people into the Promised Land, a task filled with uncertainty and challenges. God reassures Joshua, commanding him to be strong and courageous.
When we think of being strong, it often relates to physical strength or mental toughness. However, the strength God talks about is much deeper. It is the strength of spirit, faith, and unwavering belief that God is with us. This strength helps us face our fears and challenges head-on. Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to move forward despite it. As we embrace our own lives, we all encounter moments of fear, whether in school, relationships, or other situations. Here, we are reminded that we do not face these trials alone.
Words of Wisdom from Joshua 1:9
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the triumph over it. God calls us to step into our fears with strength and confidence, knowing He is always by our side.” – John C. Maxwell
“Trusting God means we don’t have to understand what is happening. We can be strong and courageous, knowing that He knows our path and will guide us.” – Charles Stanley
Joshua 1:9 Context Explained
The context of Joshua 1:9 is unique, as it comes at a critical junction for the Israelites. After wandering through the wilderness for 40 years due to disobedience and fear, they now stand on the edge of entering the land promised to their ancestors. Moses, their leader, has just passed away, and God has handpicked Joshua to guide His people. This leadership transition is a moment filled with both excitement and fear.
God recognizes this fear in Joshua and explicitly tells him to be strong and courageous. He understands that doubt can creep in during times of change. The Israelites are about to face formidable enemies in the Promised Land. They needed a leader who could inspire confidence amidst uncertainty.
We can learn from this context that it is normal to feel fear when facing new challenges or transitions in our own lives. Yet, just as God assured Joshua, He assures us that as we pursue our own paths, He is always with us, providing guidance and reassurance.
Joshua 1:9 Key Parts Explained
When God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, we should consider the significance of each word in that phrase. Strength encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects; it means relying not solely on us but on the unwavering support of God. Courage, on the other hand, is acting despite our fears.
Additionally, God goes on to remind Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged. These emotional states, fear and dismay, are natural responses to uncertainty. However, God encourages us to rise above these feelings, embracing the truth that He is right beside us. This assurance is vital as we face our individual challenges, whether in our personal lives or as a community navigating difficult times.
Lessons to Learn from Joshua 1:9
- Lessening Fear Through Faith
We learn that faith is the antidote to fear. When we trust God, we realize that our challenges are not insurmountable. We might face difficult situations, but through faith, we are reminded that God can uphold us through anything. Just like Joshua, we may also be placed in challenging roles or situations, yet we can find courage through faith.
- Embracing Courage in Tough Times
The promise that God is with us encourages us to be bold in our actions. Fear can paralyze us, but God calls us to be courageous. Embracing courage allows us to step forward, regardless of our circumstances. Perhaps we need to speak up for what is right or face fears that hold us back in relationships. Each step we take in courage can strengthen our faith.
- Recognizing God’s Presence
Ultimately, the critical lesson of Joshua 1:9 is recognizing that God is always with us. As the Israelites faced giants in the land, we may face our own giants today. But, as we remember that God is by our side, we gain the strength and courage to overcome those challenges. He equips us with everything we need to accomplish His will in our lives.
Joshua 1:9 Related Verses
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”– Isaiah 41:13
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”– Psalm 27:1
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”– Isaiah 41:10
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”– Philippians 4:13
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”– Psalm 31:24
Final Thoughts
Joshua 1:9 serves as an important message for us all. It’s a call to embrace strength and courage amid our fears. God gave this command to Joshua during a time of transition, and it resonates with us today as we navigate our own life challenges. When we feel afraid or uncertain, let’s remember that God’s presence surrounds us. He is our source of strength and courage.
Through faith, we can move forward boldly. Let us support one another in our journeys, encouraging each other to take courageous steps, and reminding our community that we are never alone. As we learn and grow together, we can walk fearlessly toward the future God has for each of us, fortified by the promise that He is always with us.
What Joshua 1:9 Means: Be Strong and Courageous
Published: Jeffery Curtis Poor. December 16, 2024.
The Context of Joshua 1:9
To help us better understand what Joshua 1:9 means, I want to first take a look at the larger context in which this verse is written.
The book of Joshua begins with when we see Moses, the leader of the Israelites, dying. God tells Joshua that he is going to be the one that leads this nation into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-2). It’s a big task and one that will come with a lot of challenges and difficulties.
This is Joshua’s command to lead this nation. But he isn’t to do it alone. God makes clear that he will be with him. In Joshua 1:5 he promises Joshua that he will be with him every step of the way.
Because of this Joshua is to boldly step into this role. Over and over God tells him “be strong and courageous.” Yes, the task might be difficult, but he will provide for him.
This leads us to the verse we are looking at, and it’s important that we don’t miss this context. Many take Joshua 1:9 as a personal command, but it’s not. It’s a command that God gave Joshua.
Don’t miss this. The Bible is written FOR you, but it was not written TO you. When we read the Bible like personal letters written directly to us we often misapply what it says. That’s why it’s important that we pay attention to the context in which verses are written.
That’s not to say there’s nothing in this verse for us today. Quite the opposite! While the promise in this passage is specific to Joshua, the principle extends to us today. But we need to understand the context to properly apply the principle to our lives.
So, let’s look at Joshua 1:9 and see what God promises Joshua. Then we will look at how we can be strong and courageous in our lives today.
What Joshua 1:9 Means
So, God commands Joshua to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Between where they are now and where they are going, there will be many trials and tribulations. They will face danger and the unknown. This will not be an easy task.
To encourage Joshua God makes him this promise…
- HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU?
God is reminding Joshua of what he’s said so far in the past few verses.
- Joshua 1:5, “I will be with you”
- Joshua 1:6, “Be strong and courageous”
- Joshua 1:7, “You may have success”
- Joshua 1:8, “You will have success”
- Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous”
- Joshua 1:9, “God is with you”
Over and over God is repeating the same command to Joshua. Lead the nation boldly and I will be with you.
- BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Joshua’s task is daunting. There will be challenges, enemies, and setbacks along the way. Despite all this, Joshua is to be strong and courageous, and he is to lead confidently.
Joshua is commanded not to just lead the nation of Israel, but also to do so boldly. To be fearful or to lead trembling would show lack of confidence in God.
Joshua isn’t called to just lead, but to be strong and courageous.
- DO NOT BE AFRAID
Joshua is surrounded by things to be afraid of.
He’s taking on a huge responsibility; it’s new to him. Will he be enough?
He’s going to lead his people to battle; will they win?
He’s going to have to deal with the problems of his people; does he have wisdom?
He’s going to daily face challenges and dangers. And despite the plethora of things to be afraid of, God commands Joshua, “do not be afraid.” He is to lead boldly and be strong and courageous.
- DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED
Similarly, to not being afraid, he is to not get discouraged. There were likely days where Joshua felt like they would never get there, that the challenges were too big to overcome.
God is calling Joshua to a high level of faith. To believe in advance what will only make sense in reverse. To trust that God will provide a way even when there seems to not be a way. Joshua is to trust in God and not get discouraged.
- FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO
How is all this possible? How can Joshua be expected to be strong and courageous when he’s facing such dangerous circumstances? How can he not be afraid, not be discouraged?
The answer is in the last part of Joshua 1:9— God is with him wherever he goes.
The key to Joshua’s success is not in himself, but in God’s presence with him. Joshua can lead confidently because God will not abandon him.
Peace is found not in the absence of the storm but in the presence of God. And that’s what Joshua is commanded to believe, that God will provide in the midst of the storm.
How to be Strong and Courageous
Now that we know the meaning of Joshua 1:9 let’s look at how it applies to our lives today. Again, remember this verse isn’t written to us. We aren’t called to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. You are not Joshua.
This verse was not written to you, but it is written FOR you. The principal still applies to us today and has some powerful truth for us to live by.
Let’s go back through the commands to see how the principles apply to our lives today.
- LIVING STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
God calls all of his followers to be strong and courageous. Paul writes this in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
How do we live strong and courageous? We keep our eye on Jesus. This isn’t something that we can do on our own, but something God does through us.
If we try to be strong and courageous on our own we will fail. The trials we face in life are too difficult. But with God by our side we can live confidently regardless of what we are facing.
- LIVING WITHOUT FEAR
Fear sells in our culture. So many messages center around something you should be afraid of. And many of us live our lives and make decisions out of fear.
In contrast the message of Jesus is do not be afraid (Matthew 10:28). Why? Because he is bigger than the things we fear.
In Romans 8:31 Paul says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Many of us we get so fixated on the things around us that bring fear. But rather than focusing on those, we should fix our eyes on God. Because if he is for us, then those other things don’t matter when compared to what he has done for us.
- LIVING WITHOUT DISCOURAGEMENT
When we take our eyes off God, not only will fear creep in but so will discouragement. Apart from God it can seem like everything is falling apart, like there’s no hope.
God will often lead us to places that are challenging, difficult, and that don’t make sense. And faith requires us to trust that while it might not makes sense from our point of view, God is doing what is best. And when we keep our eyes on Him we can find encouragement and hope.
Closing Thoughts on Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9 reminds us that God is with us, therefore we can be strong and courageous as we pursue his calling in our life.
Spend time reminding yourself of that. Don’t take your eyes off God. Things might get difficult in your life; he might call you to step into the unknown. But you can be strong and courageous if you keep your eyes on him.
Joshua 1:9 is a reminder that God has something incredible for you. So, step into that story and keep your eyes on him.
