The Greatest Test of Courage ∙
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:2-8
Moses, my servant, is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Key Elements for Achieving Success
What are the key components of achieving success in life? Success is often built on foundational principles and strategies that empower individuals to reach their goals and find fulfillment. These core elements provide practical guidance for turning aspirations into accomplishments. These include:
- Set clear and specific goals: Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).
- Develop a plan of action: Break down your objectives into smaller, actionable steps to keep progress manageable.
- Work hard and stay committed: Success requires persistence, dedication, and a mindset that sees failures as opportunities to grow.
- Continuously learn and improve: Pursue knowledge and build skills that match your goals.
- Take calculated risks: Step outside your comfort zone, embrace possibilities for growth, and stay open to new experiences.
- Develop a strong support network: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in your potential. Find mentors or role models for guidance and wisdom.
- Stay focused and keep balance: Aim for harmony between personal and professional life to sustain long-term success.
What is Success for the Children of the King?
For the children of the King who walk with the Father, success is not measured by worldly standards or cultural norms. Genuine success is found in aligning one’s life with God’s will and purpose. Pursuing prosperity apart from Him may yield fleeting accomplishments, but it often results in emptiness and lasting regret. Psalms 106:15 recalls a sobering moment in Israel’s history: “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”
Psalms 106:15 serves as a cautionary reminder about ingratitude and self-indulgence. Their craving was not based on genuine need but on the desire for more. What the Father had provided was simply not enough. In the wilderness, the Israelites became dissatisfied with God’s miraculous provision of manna and demanded more (Numbers 11). While God granted their request, He also allowed them to face the consequences of misplaced priorities: a decline in their spiritual well-being, a “leanness of soul,” a deep spiritual emptiness that no material thing can fill. Although their physical hunger was temporarily satisfied, their overall spiritual condition deteriorated.
REFLECT & PRAY
Robert Ingersoll asserted that, “The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Success is not always immediate, and setbacks are inevitable. However, resilience and faith in the face of challenges are what define true strength.
Father, thank You for the high standards and steps of action You have provided for success. Encourage and strengthen me to meditate upon and live by Your principles.
INSIGHT
Insight into Success and Strength
Scottish novelist George MacDonald once wrote, “Without God, any endeavor is destined to either miserable failure or a more miserable success.” For the children of the King, true success is the natural result of a life fully dedicated to the Father and grounded in the truth of His Word. When we walk in the Spirit and rely on His empowerment, good things happen, not by chance, but by divine design.
The Foundation of Success
The world’s metrics do not define the success of God’s people. Instead, success in the kingdom of God becomes a reality when we choose to align ourselves with His divine will. As Wiersbe aptly observes, “It’s one thing to say to a leader, ‘Be strong! Be very courageous!’ and quite something else to enable him to do it.”
Joshua’s strength and courage did not arise from within himself but were firmly grounded in his deep immersion in God’s Word and his consistent meditation on it. The Father’s power and authority are activated in our lives when we cultivate an unshakable trust in His promises and live in faithful obedience to His principles.
Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
This command is expressed through two synonymous Hebrew verbs: “Be strong and be courageous.” These phrases are translated as “be resolute,” “stand firm,” or “be brave.”
The Meaning of Strength and Courage
The Hebrew verb for “strong” is hazaq, which conveys the idea of “being powerful beyond the ordinary, whether physically or mentally. It means to strengthen, prevail, harden, or act with resolve.”
The word for “courageous” is amets, which indicates “the ability to confront danger or fear without hesitation. It suggests being bold, alert, and steadfast.” In modern terms, we might say, “‘Man up,’ meaning to face challenges with bravery and fulfill responsibilities heroically.”
God’s Encouragement to Joshua
The Lord repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua bore the weight of his duties: leading a stubborn, obstinate people, facing the enormity of the task ahead, and being without his mentor, Moses. Yet, God did not call Joshua without also equipping him.
Joshua had compelling reasons to find strength:
- God’s promise of victory (Joshua 1:5, 6) assured him that no one would oppose him.
- The reliability of God’s Word (Joshua 1:7, 8) offered a trustworthy guide to success.
- The comforting presence of the Father (Joshua 1:9) provided unwavering support and reassurance.
As T. Austin Sparks observed, “The real battle of faith is joined here. Not what we are, but what He is! Not what we feel, but His facts.”
Assurance in God’s Guidance
These promises are not about material wealth or success but about fulfilling the assignments God has given us. When we seek His counsel and guidance (Joshua 9:14), He provides the wisdom and insight needed for any situation.
In a fallen world, we will face obstacles and, at times, fall short. Yet, when we fail, we must get up, persevere, and keep moving forward until the end. Maxwell Maltz sagaciously comments, “Remember, you will not always win. Some days, the most resourceful individual will taste defeat. But there is, in this case, always tomorrow – after you have done your best to achieve success today.”
The Challenge of Obedience
One of the most challenging aspects of God’s instructions to Joshua was the command to make His Word the foundation of his life. Joshua was called to continually study and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to shape his decisions, provide direction, and strengthen him for the immense task ahead. Joshua was called to an active, ongoing commitment to align his life with God’s truth.
This challenge is not exclusive to Joshua; it resonates with all who seek to follow the Father. Every child of the King faces the ongoing struggle to keep God’s Word at the center of their lives, allowing it to guide their actions, shape their character, and inspire their goals. Through this unwavering dedication to Scripture, we find clarity, purpose, and the strength to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. By anchoring ourselves in His Word, we are equipped to navigate life’s complexities with wisdom and courage, knowing that His promises never fail.
Reflections on Courage
In our fallen world, we face many hurdles, and sadly, we will fall short. The absence of fear or pain does not define courage; rather, it is the resolve to press forward despite them. Genuine strength and lasting success are rooted in unwavering trust in God’s promises, steadfast reliance on His guidance, and the perseverance to face life’s challenges with faith and resilience.
Jeremy Goldberg observes, “Courage is knowing it might hurt, and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that’s why life is hard.”
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 