Be Strong and Courageous

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Moses was preparing to hand over leadership to Joshua. Israel was about to step into the Promised Land, a place of both promise and battle. Moses, the tried and tested servant of the Lord, would not be going with them. Joshua, who had only been known as “the servant of Moses,” was now stepping into the daunting role of leading God’s people. 

 

When Moses handed leadership to Joshua, it was a moment filled with uncertainty. Moses was a seasoned leader—the one who had faced Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, and brought the Law from Mount Sinai. Joshua, on the other hand, was untested in leadership. He had been Moses’ assistant, but now the weight of an entire nation rested on his shoulders.

 

For the people of Israel, the questions must have been many: “Can Joshua really lead us? What if he fails? What will happen to us in the battles ahead?”

 

Joshua may not have been Moses with whom God spoke face to face. Joshia on the other hand, had no such experiences thus far. Can this man have the discernment and “hearing God” like Moses. Will he know the right direction?

 

The Promised Land was filled with unknowns—fortified cities, giants, and fierce armies. Israel had never walked this road before. They really don’t know what to expect over there.

 

Yet, into that atmosphere of uncertainly, Moses gives words of encouragement: “Be strong and courageous… the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

It does not matter who is leading. It does not matter if you don’t know the way forwarded or what lies ahead. All that matters is that God is with you.

 

Encouragement for us today

 

In your uncertainty – God goes before you

Just as Israel faced unknown battles, we often step into seasons of uncertainty where the future is unclear. But God promises to go ahead of us.

• “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)
• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps. 119:105)

You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can be confident in the One who holds tomorrow.

 

In your anxiety – God is with you

Fear and anxiety often rise when we feel weak or overwhelmed. Yet God’s Word assures us that His presence is constant.

•  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”(Ps. 23:4)
• When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. (Isa. 43:2)

Anxiety loses its grip when we remember that the Almighty God is at our side.

 

In your loneliness – God will never leave you

At times we may feel abandoned or alone, but the Lord assures us of His unfailing presence.

• Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)
• And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matt. 28:20)

Others may come and go, but God’s presence is permanent and unshakable.

 

Like Joshua, we may face seasons of transition, battles, and uncertainties. But the same God who strengthened Israel is with us today. His promise stands: He goes before us, He is with us, and He will never forsake us. Therefore, we can be strong and courageous.

 

Prayer

Lord, thank You that I am never alone. In my uncertainty, You go before me. In my anxiety, You are with me. In my loneliness, You never leave me. Strengthen my heart today to walk in courage, trusting fully in Your unfailing presence. In Jesus Name, Amen.