Clark’s Devotionals

Joshua faced a responsibility that would have intimidated almost anyone. Moses was gone, Israel needed leadership, and the task ahead involved uncertainty and opposition. God's command to be strong and courageous was therefore not motivational language detached from reality. Joshua had genuine reasons to feel the weight of his calling. The foundation of courage was God's presence: “the LORD thy God is with thee.” That same principle remains important for believers. Courage is not pretending circumstances are easy. It is refusing to let fear make our decisions for us when God has made the faithful path clear. Sometimes courage means speaking. Sometimes it means remaining silent. It may require beginning something difficult, ending something unhealthy, apologizing, waiting patiently, defending someone being treated unfairly, or simply continuing to obey when results are slow. We should distinguish courage from recklessness. Biblical courage is connected to obedience, not impulsiveness. Joshua was also instructed to remain attentive to God's law. Strength detached from truth can become stubbornness; courage grounded in God's Word becomes faithfulness. We may not feel brave before acting. Often courage grows while we obey. The question is not whether fear is completely absent but whether God's presence and command weigh more heavily in our decisions than fear does.