“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” -Joshua 1:9

Sometimes God does not give you a suggestion. He gives you a command.

Be strong.

Be courageous.

Do not be afraid.

Joshua was stepping into shoes that felt too big. Moses was gone. The wilderness was behind them. The promise was in front of them. And the pressure was on.

And what does God say?

He does not hand Joshua a new strategy.

He does not give him a five-year plan.

He gives him His presence.

“For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the awareness of God.

You may be stepping into something new right now. A new season. A new responsibility. A hard conversation. A big decision. And if you are honest, there is a little knot in your stomach.

Hear the Word of the Lord.

You are not walking in alone.

You are not leading alone.

You are not facing this alone.

The same God who was with Joshua is with you. Not behind you. Not ahead of you. With you.

So lift your head. Square your shoulders. Take the next step.

Be strong. Be courageous.

God goes where you go.