God Always Encourages His People: Be Strong and Very Courageous
Base Text: Joshua 1:7 (NKJV) “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
Introduction: The Divine Call to Courage
A. Throughout the history of redemption, God has consistently encouraged His people, urging them never to turn back. We find a powerful example of this divine encouragement when Joshua stepped into the immense role of leadership, taking the place of the mighty Moses. Joshua was facing a new generation, a promised land filled with giants, and the daunting task of leading Israel into battle.
B. It is no coincidence that in this single chapter, Joshua 1:6, 7, and 9, God repeats the command "Be strong and of good courage" or "Be strong and very courageous" three separate times. God constantly reiterates this mandate because He knows our hearts are prone to fear and weariness. He repeats it to strengthen the resolve of His people.
C. Every vocation in life is difficult. Whether you are a farmer facing drought, a student preparing for a major exam, a homemaker managing the relentless demands of a family, or a soldier preparing for conflict—everyone faces difficult, defining days. That is why God's word rings true for all of us: “Be strong and of good courage.”
D. God encouraged Joshua to stand firm and fulfill the mission. And just as He encouraged Joshua to continue until the end, without surrendering, today God encourages His Church, calling us to persevere and to be victorious in His name.
I. God Encourages Us in Specific Ways
God does not offer vague, empty encouragement. His methods of strengthening our hearts are concrete, powerful, and founded on specific promises.
A. God Assures Us of His Defense
To Joshua, God declared, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life” (Joshua 1:5). This was not hyperbole; it was a concrete promise of divine defense. He had promised Israel the same before they ever crossed into Canaan, assuring them, “The Lord your God will clear out those nations before you little by little” (Deuteronomy 7:22-24).
God encourages us with this assurance: He promises to fight our battles.
B. Our Encouragement is in God Alone
When we are encouraged, the source of our strength must be God, not our own capabilities. If we rely on our own resources, we will quickly fail. But Scripture gives us an undeniable shield: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
The Psalmist captured this conviction perfectly: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me” (Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6). We know that when we are centered in God’s will, our enemies are bound to retreat (Psalm 56:9).
C. In Distress, God Remains Our Timely Help
We must never forget that in our darkest moments of anxiety and distress, God is still our help. Moses encouraged the people before his death, saying, “Be strong and of good courage... for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
The Psalms testify to this reality: “I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place” (Psalm 118:5). We have constant and privileged access to His grace in every moment of need, so we may “obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
D. God Uses Means and People to Encourage Us
While our ultimate strength comes from God, He often uses practical and relational means to lift us up. Moses was commanded to commission and encourage Joshua (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28). In the New Testament, we are called to “comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The brethren encouraged Apollos to travel and teach (Acts 18:27). Jesus personally encouraged Peter when Satan desired to sift him (Luke 22:31-32). The Lord even appeared to Paul to give him courage while he was imprisoned (Acts 23:11; 2 Timothy 4:16-17).
Practical Application: God never leaves us isolated in our difficult moments. He sends His infallible Word, His empowering Spirit, and faithful believers to lift us up when we are fainting (1 Corinthians 10:13).
II. God Encourages Us Because He Is With Us
The deepest source of encouragement is not what God promises to do, but Who God promises to be.
A. The Presence of God is the Foundation of Our Courage
The bedrock of Joshua’s courage was this divine promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).
This promise is ancient and eternal. God spoke the same words to Moses (Exodus 3:12) and to Jacob (Genesis 31:3). God's presence is not a possibility; it is a foundational covenant.
B. The Promise of His Presence Runs Through the Entire Bible
This promise is the unbroken thread that runs through all of Scripture:
• To Moses: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).
• To the Prophets: “I will be with your mouth” (Exodus 4:12, 15).
• To the Disciples: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
• To Paul in Corinth: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not hold your peace; for I am with you” (Acts 18:10).
The promise of Immanuel—God with us—is the greatest source of comfort we possess.
C. Application
If the omnipresent, omnipotent God is truly with us, there is no circumstance, no adversity, and no enemy that can ultimately defeat us. His presence is the constant, never-ending source of our strength, our hope, and our eternal comfort.
See also
Conclusion: The Triumph of the Encouraged
A. God has never failed to encourage His people in the midst of the struggle. He knows our needs before we ask and supplies our courage before we face the battle.
B. We must shake off any discouragement based on the lie that we are alone. God is with us!
C. He fights our battles, He gives us His unfailing Word, and He provides His Holy Spirit to strengthen us daily.
D. Therefore, let us not retreat, let us not waver, but let us be strong and very courageous, for the Lord is on our side today and always!
