Finding Courage in God's Presence

When life places us in unfamiliar territory with new responsibilities, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Whether you're facing a career change, family decisions, financial challenges, or spiritual battles, these moments require courage that sometimes feels beyond our capacity. The story of Joshua offers powerful insights for anyone standing at the threshold of something new and intimidating.

What Does It Mean to Be in a "Joshua Moment"?


A "Joshua moment" occurs when you've come out of one season of life and are headed somewhere new, but the path forward isn't entirely clear. For Joshua, this moment came after Moses died. Suddenly, all eyes turned to him as the new leader of Israel. He didn't volunteer for this position—it was thrust upon him.

Joshua faced several challenges that might feel familiar to us:

  • Stepping into a role he didn't ask for

  • Leading without his mentor (Moses)

  • Facing a future he didn't fully understand

  • Standing between the past (slavery in Egypt) and the promise (Canaan)

  • Confronting obstacles that seemed insurmountable


    • Sound familiar? We all experience these transitional moments when we must step up and lead, even when we don't feel ready.

    Why Does God Call Us Forward When We Feel Unprepared?


    In Joshua 1:1-2, we read: "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them.'"

    God didn't call Joshua because he was the most confident or competent person available. He called him because Joshua had been faithful. This reveals an important truth about God's leadership development approach:

    In the world, people prove themselves as leaders first, then get elevated to leadership positions. God often works in reverse—He puts people in positions that require them to depend on Him, allowing them to grow into their roles.

    Following God's call will often feel bigger than we are—and that's precisely the point. He's not looking for us to succeed in our own strength but to rely on His sufficiency.

    How Do God's Promises Help Us Overcome Fear?


    God didn't tell Joshua, "Don't be afraid" (at least not initially). Instead, He gave him promises:

    "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses... No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:3-5)

    Notice that God didn't give Joshua a detailed plan—He gave him a promise. When we feel outmatched, outnumbered, or overwhelmed, what matters most isn't having all the answers but knowing God is with us.

    This is crucial to understand: We can't promise ourselves or others that everything will work out perfectly in difficult situations. What we can promise is that God will be present through it all—and that's actually a greater comfort.

    Why Does Obedience Require Strength and Courage?


    Three times in this passage, God tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous" (verses 6, 7, and 9). Why the repetition? Because significant things God calls us to do are hard.

    God doesn't call us to easy tasks. He calls us to right tasks. Standing for what's right in a culture that's moving in the opposite direction requires strength. Parenting with godly principles when everyone else seems to be taking the easy route requires courage. Sharing your faith when it might make you unpopular demands boldness.

    In verse 7-8, God connects courage directly to obedience: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it."

    Courage isn't just for big battles—it's for daily obedience. And it's fueled by one unshakable truth found in verse 9: "For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

    Life Application: Trading Fear for Obedience


    The bottom line is this: Courage isn't optional when God calls you forward.

    Here's how to apply this truth to your life this week:


    Identify where fear is holding you back. Not in theory, but specifically. Where is God leading you that you've been hesitant to go?


    Trade your fear for obedience. Make a conscious decision to swap what you're afraid of for what God is calling you to do.


    Take the next step, even while afraid. Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's moving forward despite it.


    Ask yourself these questions:

    • What "Joshua moment" am I currently facing in my life?

    • What specific fear is preventing me from obeying God fully?

    • What would taking the next step of obedience look like for me this week?

    • How can I remind myself daily that God's presence goes with me?


      • Remember, people miss opportunities waiting for the "right moment" that never comes. Don't let fear call the shots in your life. You may not feel ready for what God is calling you to do, but He doesn't call the equipped—He equips the called. And most importantly, He promises to be with you every step of the way. 

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