(Jos) 1:5, 7-9 CJB “No one will be able to withstand you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moshe, so I will be with you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you. Only be strong and very bold in taking care to follow all the Torah which Moshe my servant ordered you to follow; do not turn from it either to the right or to the left; then you will succeed wherever you go. Yes, keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed. Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold’? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua was given an extraordinary promise from God. The Lord promised His presence, His power, and His victory for accomplishing the mission God had assigned him. Yet Joshua still needed Bold and Courageous Faith to step into that mission.
Joshua would face giants, fortified cities, enemy armies, and impossible circumstances. He would need faith demonstrated through courageous obedience. And because Joshua trusted God and acted boldly upon God’s promises, he fulfilled God’s calling for his life and became remembered forever as a mighty man of God.
Bold and Courageous Faith Requires Obedience
God’s promise to Joshua was not disconnected from obedience. The Lord specifically commanded Joshua to carefully follow His Word and not turn “to the right or to the left.”
Biblical courage is not reckless self-confidence. It is unwavering obedience to God despite fear, opposition, or uncertainty.
Joshua was commanded to:
- meditate on God’s Word day and night
- speak God’s Word continually
- obey everything God commanded
Then God promised success in accomplishing His purposes.
The same principle remains true today. Many men want God’s power while neglecting God’s Word. Many desire victory without obedience. But God’s presence is most deeply experienced when men trust Him enough to follow Him courageously.
Jesus Calls Men to Bold and Courageous Faith
Jesus has given His followers a mission remarkably similar to Joshua’s mission. Christ commanded His people to go into the world and make disciples. He also gave the same promise Joshua received:
“I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus empowers His people through the Holy Spirit to carry out the Great Commission. Yet disciple-making still requires Bold and Courageous Faith because the world remains hostile toward God and resistant to His truth.
Some men reject the gospel aggressively. Others reject it politely. But rejection should not surprise the faithful servant of Jesus. The apostles experienced persecution, suffering, and hardship because they boldly proclaimed Christ. Church history is filled with faithful men who courageously obeyed God despite opposition.
Yet many modern Christian men live spiritually passive lives. Why? Because they are trusting God for very little. They need courage for almost nothing because they are risking almost nothing for God’s kingdom.
A safe, comfortable, silent Christianity is not the Christianity of the apostles.
God’s Power Is Experienced Through Kingdom Mission
Most Christian men describe their spiritual lives as dull, stagnant, or irrelevant because they are not actively engaged in the mission of God. They are not stepping into situations where they desperately need God’s power, wisdom, courage, and presence.
But when men boldly share Jesus, disciple others, pray for the lost, and obey God publicly, they begin experiencing God in powerful ways.
The faithful man of God sees:
- God open doors
- God soften hearts
- God provide strength
- God sustain courage
- God bear fruit through obedience
This is the adventure of faith Scripture repeatedly describes.
Jesus questioned whether He would “find faith on earth” upon His return (Luke 18:8). The answer is revealed through those who courageously obey Him, endure suffering for His Name, and bear fruit for His glory.
True faith is visible. It acts. It risks. It obeys.
Men, God is still looking for those who will be strong and courageous.
Run Today’s Play
Stop settling for a passive Christianity that costs nothing and changes little. Open your mouth about Jesus. Make disciples. Pray boldly. Share your testimony. Invite men into God’s Word. Risk rejection for the glory of God and the eternal good of others.
You do not need to fear because Jesus promised His presence and His power for His mission.
The same God who empowered Joshua empowers His people today through the Holy Spirit.
Bold and Courageous Faith is not proven in comfort. It is proven through obedient action in the mission of God.
Step into the adventure of following Jesus wholeheartedly and watch God work through your life for His eternal glory.
