09/02/2026
Happy “Courageous” Weekend, Everyone!
Joshua 1: 1-11
“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you may go!”
I’ve said this several times in my class that Joshua is my favorite Old Testament book. Joshua 1:1–11 is God’s commissioning (appointing) of Joshua. It is a passage about stepping into responsibility, trusting God’s unchanging promises, and obeying His Word with steadfast focus.
The familiar metaphors in this text, in which I am a big fan, like crossing a boundary, carrying a mantle, walking a straight path, helps us see how God prepares His people for new seasons of leadership and faith. Moses is gone. Joshua stands at the edge of a new chapter.
One of the key verses of the Book of Joshua is 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” The Old Testament is chock-full with stories of how the people “forgot” God and His Word and suffered terrible consequences. For the Christian, the Word of God is our lifeblood. If we neglect it, our lives will suffer accordingly. But if we take to heart the principle of verse 1:8, we will be complete and able to be of use in God’s kingdom. (depart from your mouth?) As I think about it I am sad to say that there are Christians that I have never heard quote a Bible verse in their entire life. Hmmm.
As I stated earlier, Joshua is my favorite OT book, and my “life verse” is Joshua 1:9 and my “family verse” is Joshua 24:15. (Choose you this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)
Friends, how important is a good Mentor? Joshua is a prime example of the benefits of a worthy mentor. For years he remained close to Moses. He watched Moses as he followed God in an almost flawless manner. He learned to pray in a personal way from Moses, and he learned how to obey through the example of Moses. I have had several mentors in my life. Some in the community, some at work, and some spiritually. Looking back, I must say that every single one of them helped shape me in my life. Even my own wife has shown me how to be kind and good, and loving.
Soooooooooooooooo, have you ever been told…” You are in charge now!”?
Moses is dead. Joshua stands at the edge of the Promised Land with a nation of former slaves who have never fought a real war. Joshua must have felt overwhelmed. He had been Moses’ assistant, not Moses’ replacement. Everything changed!
We will see in this Sunday’s Sunday school that “Courage” is not the absence of fear; it is the presence of God. How so? Because Joshua was like a child learning to swim. When I learned to swim, I learned that courage does not come from, not being afraid of the water, it comes from the instructor teaching you how to swim. Good “Mentors” are one of the greatest blessings in life and I will stand by that statement until my last breath.
As I close my devotional until class, allow me to give you some things to ponder until then.
What happens if we don’t use what God gives us? The Bible says we lose it.
What happens if our money or talents are wasted on only things of this world? The Bible says He gives them to someone else.
How many times do we hesitate, knowing God wants an action from us and we either shrug it off, struggle with it, or just ignore it?
Join us this Sunday at 9:00 am at FBC Three Springs, PA.
Deacon Neal