Day 26 — Courage Shaped by God’s Word

Day 26 · Receiving God’s Word · Joshua 1:1-9 (NET2)

Joshua faces a task he cannot accomplish by courage alone. God promises his presence and commands careful attention to his instruction. The promised success concerns Joshua’s calling to lead Israel, not a guarantee that Bible readers will become wealthy. For us, the passage shows the connection between trusting God, meditating on his Word, and obeying him when the next step feels difficult.

Request

Lord, give me courage rooted in your presence and guided by your Word. Amen.

Read

Joshua 1:1-9

¹ After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready! Cross the Jordan River. Lead these people into the land that I am ready to hand over to them. ³ I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all Syria) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone. ⁶ Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them. ⁷ Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep. Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do. ⁸ This law scroll must not leave your lips. You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. ⁹ I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What does God tell Joshua to do with his instruction?
2. Where do you need courage to obey what God has already made clear?

Restate

Explain the difference between biblical courage and confidence that you will get everything you want.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise God for his faithfulness.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him that his people do not face their calling alone.
• Confession: Confess the temptation to seek success without obedience.
• Intercession: Pray for someone carrying a difficult responsibility.
• Petition: Ask for courage to take a faithful next step.

Carry it into today: Choose one instruction from Scripture to keep before you today.