~ Joshua 1:9
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes | Spotify
These words were spoken to Joshua at a moment of enormous transition. Moses was gone. Leadership now rested on Joshua’s shoulders, and the people stood on the edge of the Promised Land.
God did not begin by giving Joshua a battle plan or military strategy. He began by addressing Joshua’s inner strength. Courage would be required not only for conquest, but for consistency, obedience, and endurance over time.
God’s command to be strong was not a demand for self generated confidence. It was rooted in presence. “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Strength flowed from relationship, not personality or resolve. Joshua was being prepared for a long assignment, one that would require sustained faithfulness rather than short bursts of effort.
This passage speaks clearly into Biblical health because fulfilling God’s calling requires capacity. God does not call people into purpose while ignoring the condition of the vessel through which that purpose must be carried. Courage is not only needed in moments of fear. It is needed in daily faithfulness, wise restraint, and ongoing stewardship of strength.
Joshua’s courage would be tested over years, not days. In the same way, many believers underestimate how much strength is required to remain faithful long term. Neglecting the body, ignoring limits, or living in constant depletion can quietly undermine obedience. God does not cause sickness or weakness, but persistent disregard for His design can make it harder to stand firm when courage is needed most.
God’s command to Joshua was holistic. Be strong. Be courageous. Stay anchored in God’s presence. That kind of strength includes learning to pace oneself, to rest when needed, and to live with discipline rather than excess. It means caring for the body and mind so fear does not gain leverage through exhaustion or instability.
Biblical health is not about preserving comfort. It is about remaining ready. When strength is stewarded wisely, obedience becomes sustainable. Courage becomes steady rather than reactive. The calling God places on a life is not fulfilled in a single moment, but through years of faithfulness.
God’s promise to Joshua still holds. He is with His people wherever they go. That presence invites courage, wisdom, and care for the life entrusted to us so we can walk fully in what He has prepared.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your presence that gives strength and courage. Help me steward my life wisely so I can remain faithful to the calling You have placed before me. Teach me to care for my strength with humility and discipline, trusting that You are with me in every step. Prepare me to walk fully and faithfully in Your purposes. Amen.
