7. Only be thou strong, and very courageous, that thou may observe to do all the Law, which my servant Moses commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand, or to the left, that thou mayest prosper wherever thou goest.
8. This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then shall thou make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success.
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, wherever thou goest.
A Fearful Witness
Joshua chapter 1 is a magnificent new beginning: Moses, God’s chosen leader of His people, has died and God chooses Joshua to succeed him in leading the people to the Promised Land. By verse 7, God is repeating His instructions to be strong and very courageous—going even further, commanding Joshua to not be afraid or dismayed. It’s understandable that Joshua would be overwhelmed at having to fill the shoes of Moses, but why so overcome with fear that God would have to repeat Himself three times?
Certainly Joshua would have witnessed the rebellion of the Israelites towards Moses. He saw first-hand their disobedience to God, even idolatry in worshiping the golden calf. But he also would have had the privilege of experiencing the miraculous wonders God performed again and again to gain the trust and obedience of the Israelites—the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army in the same sea, manna for food, water from a rock for thirst, and the glory of God descending on Mount Sinai and the tabernacle. He would have been privy to hearing God’s voice first-hand, and without a doubt Moses would have shared with him divine instruction only those in the ministry were privy to. So why would God need to repeatedly instruct someone with intimate knowledge of His awesome power and authority, to be strong, courageous, and have no fear?
The Israelites Reveal the Human Condition of Doubting God
The journey of the Israelites reveals profound truths about the human condition—we live with doubts and fears that have been with us since Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. Regardless of whether we view their journey from the perspective of the people, or the ministry, we see stumbling blocks, real and imagined, are common. The Israelites faced them as they were led out of Egypt, both Moses and Joshua faced them as leaders—and we face the same mental barriers in our time. Fear, doubt, insecurity, the weight of responsibility—struggles that aren’t new but are woven into the fabric of fallen humanity.
Although we are not under the ceremonial Law of Moses, God’s moral commandments are written on our hearts through the New Covenant—which carry the same promises when we are obedient to Him. Not only did God repeat the instruction to be strong and very courageous, He also repeated the promise of prosperity and success. So why is it that the promises don’t stand out to us as much as the instructions do? Even though we are reminded of God’s promises in the New Testament—stress, anxiety, and fear often play a bigger role in our lives than any of us would like to admit. Romans 8:28 assures us that, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” But when deadlines we are unprepared to meet start closing in, another relationship seems to fail, or we prematurely give up on something or someone, the rubber meets the road and our faith is tested.
The Fall From Grace and Our Continued Assistance
Since the fall from grace humanity has been conditioned to expect and see the worst, while not feeling worthy of God’s best. Jesus tells us in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The thief Jesus speaks of is the same adversary who stole grace from Adam and Eve, brought death upon mankind, and led to the destruction of a perfect earth. His strategy remains the same today—his desire is to steal your confidence, kill your courage, and destroy your trust in God’s love for you. Every time we stress over financial strain, feel unworthy of love when a relationship fails, or give up prematurely we actively assist the thief.
When we assist the thief, we are robbed of the peace only Jesus can give. John 14:27 reminds us: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” We also become less able to see the path that God desires for us, as we learned from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Assisting the thief also silences the voice of the Holy Spirit, and we are warned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19: “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” When the voice of the Holy Spirit is stifled, the voice of the evil one becomes louder, leading us to assist him in his desire to separate us from God.
The Word of God: A Path to Power, Love, and a Sound Mind
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.” These are the attributes God originally gave His children before the fall, and they remain available to us today. The instructions for walking in these attributes could not be any clearer. They come directly from God, which means they span all generations and should eliminate all doubt. We find them in Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.“
The Fruit of Obedience: Prosperity, Christlike Character, and Abundant Life
Simply put, when we mediate on God’s Word, obey His instruction, and walk in His truth, we are not only guaranteed power to stand, love to endure, and a sound mind to remain steady and at peace—we will also prosper. And the beautiful thing is, this is how we make our own way prosperous. Scripture tells us, “For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” It does not depend on prayers to be answered. Good success follows the person who follows God in study, in obedience, and in faith. These habits create strength and courage as we bear the good fruit that leads to prosperity. And this good fruit is not limited to material things—it includes a positive attitude, integrity, a heart of charity that desires to see others succeed, all steeped in love and patience.
These are the very qualities that Jesus demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry. They are the epitome of what it means to follow Him—and He expects His followers to display these same values in their daily lives. He said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The mere physical presence of Jesus here on earth did not automatically transform lives without active faith. When we put our hope and faith in Him, and follow the example He left for us, then we can enjoy an abundant life—and help to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Christ do as well.
The Word of God: It Instructs, It Strengthens, It Refines
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”
Psalm 119:15-17
“I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.”
Psalm 119:71
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.”
Hebrews 4:12
“For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
1 Peter 5:10
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
A Prayer Rooted in Christ, Clarity of the Spirit, and Strength of the Father
Father God in Heaven, You have blessed me with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. I tend to lose sight of that blessing because the evil is so clear and present in this world. I come before You fallen and humbled, asking that your Spirit strengthens my spirit, so that I am ever mindful of who I am in Christ Jesus. Keep my soul anchored to your truth, and my courage rooted to the sacrifice of Christ. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Trinitarian Benediction
May the Word of God straighten your path and direct your steps.
May the many examples of the Lord Jesus Christ mold your spirit and soul.
And may you always hear and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.