#8 Holy Wit – Bible Study Be Strong and Courageous (I Am With You: Courage Rooted in God’s Nearness – Joshua 1:6–9; Joshua 10:25) Scripture Reading (NKJV): Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:7 “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 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 10:25 “Then Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.’” ________________________________________ 1. Courage Grounded in God’s Promise, Not Personality Joshua’s charge begins not with strategy, temperament, or self-belief, but with promise. The command to be strong and courageous is anchored in what God has already sworn. The land is not a possibility to be earned but an inheritance to be received. Joshua is called to act boldly because God has already acted faithfully. Biblical courage is never self-generated confidence; it is trust in the settled word of God. Joshua 1:6 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A6&version=NKJV Genesis 12:7 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A7&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 2. Courage Expressed Through Obedience In verse 7, courage takes a surprising form: careful obedience. Strength is not defined as reckless boldness but as steadfast submission to God’s revealed will. Joshua is warned not to drift — not even slightly — from the law given through Moses. This teaches us that true courage is not independence from God’s word, but dependence upon it. Prosperity, in biblical terms, flows from alignment with God’s instruction, not from daring innovation. Joshua 1:7 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A7&version=NKJV Deuteronomy 5:32–33 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+5%3A32-33&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 3. Courage Commanded Because God Is Present Joshua 1:9 brings the heart of the matter into full view. Courage is not merely encouraged; it is commanded. Fear and dismay are forbidden, not because the situation is safe, but because God is near. The Lord does not promise Joshua ease, but presence. “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go” transforms danger into duty and uncertainty into obedience. The nearness of God is the decisive factor. Joshua 1:9 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A9&version=NKJV Exodus 33:14 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A14&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 4. Courage Learned, Then Taught By Joshua 10:25, the command that once pressed upon Joshua’s own fears now comes from his mouth to others. What God spoke into Joshua, Joshua now speaks into his people. Courage rooted in God’s presence is contagious. Leaders who trust God’s nearness train others to do the same. Notice that Joshua does not promise personal triumph; he points to what the LORD will do. Courage matures when it becomes testimony. Joshua 10:25 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+10%3A25&version=NKJV Psalm 27:1 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A1&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 5. From Joshua to the People of God These commands were not preserved for Joshua alone. The pattern holds throughout Scripture: God calls His people into difficult obedience, then grounds that call in His abiding presence. The courage God commands is always courage He supplies. The same God who stood with Joshua stands with His people still. His nearness does not eliminate battles; it guarantees His faithfulness in them. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41%3A10&version=NKJV Matthew 28:20 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A20&version=NKJV ________________________________________ Reflection Questions 1. How does God’s promise to Joshua reshape your understanding of courage in uncertain situations? 2. Why does Scripture connect courage so closely with obedience rather than with bold initiative? 3. What fears are confronted by the promise, “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go”? 4. In what ways might your own trust in God’s presence strengthen others? ________________________________________ Prayer Points 1. Thank God that His commands are always joined to His promises. 2. Ask for strength to obey God’s word without turning to the right or the left. 3. Pray for courage rooted in God’s nearness rather than confidence in yourself. 4. Ask that your trust in God would encourage and steady others. ________________________________________ For further study (NKJV): Deuteronomy 31:6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+31%3A6&version=NKJV Psalm 118:6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A6&version=NKJV Hebrews 13:5–6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A5-6&version=NKJV ________________________________________ #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #IAmWithYou #Joshua1