💪 Joshua 1:9 | Courage is Contagious

Happy Friday, {{first_name | everyone}}!

Joshua 1:9 may be a familiar verse to many of us, but I pray that this week has helped you see it in a new and fresh way.

In today’s email…

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Joshua 1:9

This week, we’ve explored Joshua 1:9 in depth.

On Monday, we reviewed the backdrop of the book of Joshua.

Moses had died, and Joshua took over as the new leader of God’s people as they stood on the edge of the Promised Land.

Joshua was on the precipice of war, called to lead an entire nation into hostile territory and take hold of that which was promised to Abraham ~500 years prior.

In Joshua chapter 1, God didn’t promise Joshua that the road would be easy. But God was very clear that Joshua wouldn’t walk it alone.

On Tuesday, we followed the movement of Joshua’s commissioning.

We watched Joshua receive the commission from God and take his first steps as Israel’s leader. In Joshua 1:6-9, God repeats the command to “be strong and courageous” three times.

And we see the people of Israel affirm Joshua’s leadership by repeating the same phrase back to him: “Only be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:18b)

In this, we as believers today are reminded of this: You only need strength and courage when you’re doing something that isn’t “safe.”

If you always play it safe, you never have to muster up courage. If you always play it safe, you never have to fully trust God.

But like Joshua, God doesn’t call us to “play it safe.” He calls us to be obedient.

On Wednesday, we looked deeper into the language of Joshua 1:9.

We examined the Hebrew words behind “strong,” “courageous,” “frightened,” and “dismayed” and saw how they carried deep covenant significance.

We saw that true strength and courage (Joshua 1:9) flows from knowing and obeying God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

Just as Joshua was told to meditate on the Book of the Law, we were pointed to the foundation Jesus described in Matthew 7: building our lives on His words so we can stand firm, no matter what comes.

And on Thursday, we connected Joshua 1:9 to the larger story of Scripture.

At the heart of the verse is a powerful promise: “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That theme traces from Genesis to Joshua and Jesus to Revelation. And we hear echoes of it in one of Jesus’ final words to His disciples:

Wherever we go, whatever we face, we are never alone. Jesus walks with us all the time.

Joshua wasn’t told to be strong and courageous just for his own sake. He was leading others. His courage helped shape the faith of an entire nation.

The same can be true for us.

Courage is contagious. And one of the most powerful things you can do is to pass on the encouragement you’ve received. Maybe someone around you is feeling overwhelmed, afraid, or unsure of their next step.

This week, don’t keep what God has shown you to yourself. Share it.

Share 📣

Text or call a fellow believer who needs courage. Tell them you’re praying Joshua 1:9 over their life. Encourage them with what you’ve learned: that God is with them and that He is their source of strength.

Set up a clear conversation with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Read Joshua 1:9 together and ask, “If a holy God were truly with you, would that comfort you, or concern you?” Based on their answer, bridge the conversation to the gospel.

You can explain that our greatest problem is sin (Romans 3:23) and coming judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Then talk about how Jesus is the greater Joshua who saves His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) and if they show openness, call them to repent, turn from sin, and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness.

Pray 🙏

Lord God, thank you for securing my future through your Son’s death and resurrection. Thank you for the reminder that I could never earn your love, but that you offer it freely. Help me live with courage, not fear. Open my eyes to someone who needs encouragement this week, and give me the courage to share the gospel. Amen.

Here are a few resources to help you dig deeper into the verse and its themes:

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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9