Let me talk to you for a moment about courage—the kind of courage God calls every one of us to have. As we look at Joshua in those first nine verses of Joshua 1, God makes it clear: Joshua was to be strong and courageous, stepping into his role as the leader of Israel in the conquest of Canaan. That wasn’t just a motivational speech from God; it was a command because courage was essential for the battles ahead. The same is true for us today as soldiers of Christ. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that our fight isn’t against flesh and blood—it’s against the spiritual forces of darkness. That’s why we must put on the full armor of God. This is a spiritual battle, and without courage, we won’t stand a chance.

But courage doesn’t happen by accident. It grows over time through deliberate action, faith, and trust in God. Look at the examples of courage throughout Scripture. Daniel had the courage to worship God, even when it meant being thrown into a lion’s den. He didn’t compromise, and because of his faith, God delivered him. Then there’s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to the king’s idol. While everyone else followed the crowd, they stood firm. They were thrown into a fiery furnace, yet God protected them because of their unwavering courage to stand against sin.

Joseph had the courage to flee from evil. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he didn’t stick around to negotiate—he ran. Even though it cost him his freedom and landed him in prison, Joseph never wavered in his integrity, and in time, God raised him up. David faced Goliath with nothing but a sling and a stone, trusting that God would deliver him. Nathan had the courage to confront King David with the truth of his sin, even though it could have cost him his life. He spoke fearlessly because he trusted God.

Each of these men stood firm because they drew their courage from the same source—God. That same source of courage is available to you. David found strength in the Lord when he was distressed (1 Samuel 30:6). Jesus told His disciples, “In this world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). And the Holy Spirit, through the Scriptures, provides us with the patience and comfort we need to press on (Romans 15:4).

Another source of courage comes from your brothers and sisters in Christ. Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us to encourage one another, especially as the day of Christ’s return approaches. When we gather together in worship and fellowship, we strengthen and inspire one another to remain faithful and courageous in our walk with God. Don’t underestimate the power of that kind of encouragement.

But to be truly courageous, you must have a clear conscience before God, knowing you’ve obeyed Him. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” True courage comes from walking in righteousness and trusting in the Lord. Trusting Him means obeying Him, and obeying Him means growing in His Word, gathering with His people, and staying committed to the faith no matter what trials come your way.

So, what about you? Do you have the courage to stand for God today? The courage to worship Him, to stand against sin, to flee from evil, and to speak the truth? Do you have the courage to live the life He’s calling you to live?

If you’ve never obeyed the gospel, now is the time. You need to hear the message of Jesus Christ, believe in Him, and repent of your sins—turning away from the path that leads to destruction. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Son of God, and then be baptized for the remission of your sins. That’s how you begin your walk with God. But don’t stop there—live faithfully unto the end, and Jesus promises to give you the crown of life.

Maybe you’ve already taken those steps, but you’ve stumbled along the way. We all fall short, but the beauty of God’s grace is that we can come back to Him. All it takes is a prayer of repentance, and He’ll restore your soul.

If you have a need—whether it’s to obey the gospel for the first time or to ask for forgiveness and renewal—why not respond? God is waiting with open arms, ready to strengthen you and give you the courage you need to walk in His ways.