Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Joshua 1:9
What does Joshua 1:9 mean?
God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, and grounds that command in a promise: God's presence will go with him wherever he goes. Courage here isn't self-generated bravado — it's a response to God's command and His presence.
Context
This verse is part of God's charge to Joshua right after the death of Moses, as Joshua is about to lead Israel across the Jordan River into the land God promised them (Joshua 1:1-9). The phrase 'be strong and of a good courage' appears multiple times in this chapter, underscoring the size of the task ahead of Joshua and the certainty of God's presence to match it.
Key themes
Related Bible verses
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Bible study
- Why do you think God commands courage rather than just offering comfort?
- How is Joshua's courage tied directly to God's presence ('for the LORD thy God is with thee')?
- What task ahead of you requires this kind of courage today?
Prayer
A short devotional prayer inspired by this verse — not scripture
God, give me courage for what's ahead of me. Remind me that You go with me wherever I go, so I don't have to face it alone. Amen.
Memorize this verse
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Share this verse
Frequently asked questions
What was happening when God spoke this to Joshua?
Moses had just died, and Joshua was being commissioned to lead Israel into the promised land — a daunting task that this charge was meant to equip him for.
Why is 'be not afraid' repeated in this chapter?
Because the challenge ahead (leading a nation into conquest of a new land) was genuinely daunting; the repetition emphasizes both the size of the task and the certainty of God's presence.