Scripture Focus:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
I remember seasons where I wasn’t afraid to work hard — I was afraid of getting it wrong.
Afraid that effort wouldn’t translate into progress.
Afraid that stepping forward would expose what I didn’t yet know.
Afraid that obedience would cost more than I felt ready to give.
And what made it harder was that God wasn’t asking me to stop — He was asking me to move forward.
That’s why Joshua 1:9 has always felt personal to me.
Joshua wasn’t stepping into a season of ease when God told him to be strong and courageous. He was stepping into leadership after Moses had died. The people he was leading were grieving, uncertain, and standing at the edge of something unfamiliar. They had wandered for years, and now they were being asked to cross into territory they had never possessed before.
God’s command wasn’t given because Joshua felt ready.
It was given because Joshua felt the weight.
“Be strong and courageous” wasn’t a motivational phrase — it was a necessary instruction for someone being asked to obey without guarantees.
And that’s where this meets us.
There are moments in this journey where God doesn’t remove uncertainty — He asks us to walk through it. To study when confidence is shaky. To prepare when outcomes aren’t assured. To show up faithfully when we don’t yet feel competent.
Joshua wasn’t promised that every step would feel secure. He was promised something better: God’s presence wherever he went.
That’s what makes courage possible.
Courage isn’t pretending you’re not afraid.
It’s choosing obedience when fear hasn’t left yet.
It’s walking by faith — not because you can see the whole path, but because you trust the One who walks with you on it.
Paul echoes this truth when he reminds us that faith doesn’t wait for sight. Faith moves before everything makes sense. And over time, that movement produces fruit — not just externally, but internally.
I’ve learned that every time I choose courage over retreat, something grows. Clarity deepens. Confidence stabilizes. Trust strengthens. And slowly, obedience stops feeling like a risk and starts feeling like partnership with God.
This matters because courage honors God.
It keeps us aligned with His purpose.
It trains us to depend on Him rather than our own readiness.
Today, if you feel hesitant but still willing… uncertain but still present… stretched but still called — God’s word to Joshua is His word to you.
Be strong.
Be courageous.
Not because you feel ready — but because He is with you.
Devotional Reflection
Where is God asking you to move forward even though you don’t feel fully ready?
What would it look like to trust His presence more than your preparation today?
Prayer
God, You know the places where I feel unsure and hesitant. Thank You for not waiting until I feel ready to walk with me. Give me courage to obey You today — not because I have all the answers, but because You are with me. Teach me to walk by faith, not by sight, and let my obedience draw me closer to You as I grow academically and spiritually. Amen.
Final Reminder
Courage isn’t confidence —
it’s obedience rooted in God’s presence.
Simple Action for Today
Identify one place today where fear has slowed you down.
Pray: “God, I move forward trusting that You are with me.”
Then take one faithful step — even if it feels small.