Overcoming Trials

Courage-Building Bible Verses From Joshua

Before we take a closer look at today’s courage-building Bible verses from Joshua, I have an announcement!  In just over a month, I will release a new book for teens.  It’s called Anchored: A Teen Devotional for Understanding the Old Testament and Applying It to Your Life. 

My vision is to teach teens the key narratives from the Old Testament while helping them see that all of Scripture is relevant to our everyday lives.  These devotions delve into everything from anxiety to sexuality, all drawn from the truth of God’s Word.  I’m building a launch team right now.  If you’re interested, send me a message or click on this link, and I’ll invite you to the Facebook page.  There is no pressure, just an opportunity to pray over the book and help spread the word!

And now, onto today’s post!

Bible Verses From Joshua

Several months ago, as I stepped into a new endeavor, I realized I needed an anchor.  I felt anxious and fearful about stepping into the unknown.  A friend suggested reading through the book of Joshua, and as I did, I compiled a list of courage-building Bible verses from Joshua and the conquest into the Promised Land.

Today, we’ll explore these Scriptures.  We’ll also discuss practical ways to put our trust in God as we step into uncertain situations.

Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free eBook to empower you as you follow God.

Let’s begin with these strengthening Bible verses from Joshua.

Empowering Bible Verses From Joshua

1. Joshua 1:9, ESV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Following Moses’ death, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites.  Joshua would lead them across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land.

God spoke these words over Joshua, reminding him that he would be with him.

This is a promise for us today, too.  We don’t find our courage in our skills and abilities; our courage comes from God, and God has promised never to leave us.

If you are facing a task that feels overwhelming today, find your courage in the truth that God is with you.  When God calls us into impossible situations, he also equips us to carry his presence into them.

2. Joshua 3:7

The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”

When God calls us, he is faithful to anoint and equip us.  He puts a mantel of leadership upon us, and others are drawn to follow us.

If God has called you to a leadership position, he will equip you for it.  He will bless you and stir others to follow you.

3. Joshua 1:10-11

And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”

Leaders offer clear direction and decisive action.

As we follow God, other people will look to us for leadership.  We lead well by being direct and decisive.  Joshua clearly articulated the necessary steps for preparing to enter the Promised Land.Courage-Building Bible Verses From Joshua

4. Joshua 6:2-5

And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.  You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.  Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”

God wants us to trust him.

The battle of Jericho is a powerful example of God’s desire for our trust.  This narrative illustrates the importance of obedience to God over human strategy.

The walls of Jericho eventually fell when Israel shouted.  Human strength didn’t bring down the walls; God made the walls crumble.

This is true in our lives as well.  Some walls cannot be torn down through self-effort and willpower.  We need God to break them down.

Ask God to show you which walls he wants to tear down in your life and obey him as he leads you.

Read here for eight courage-boosting Bible verses from Joshua. #trust #faith Share on X

More Bible Verses From Joshua

5. Joshua 7:1-11

 The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?  Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.”

After Joshua led Isael in the conquest of Jericho, one of the soldiers hid some spoil from the battle beneath his tent.  As discipline, this led to defeat in their next battle against Ai.

Joshua was discouraged after this battle, wondering why God led them into Canaan only to be met with defeat.

God revealed the problem to Joshua: Someone had stolen some plunder from the ruins after defeating Jericho.

This conversation between Joshua and God reveals several key points:  First, God responds when we draw near to him with sincere hearts.  Turn to God with your fears, doubts, worries, or despair.  He wants to offer insight to help lift your head.

Second, Joshua hadn’t disobeyed God, but as a leader, he was responsible for addressing the sins of those under his leadership.  At times, God calls us to address the behaviors of those who are under our leadership.

6. Joshua 23:6-8

Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them,  but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day.

Near the end of his life, Joshua commissioned Israel to carefully obey the Law of Moses.  He warned them not to mix with the pagan nations surrounding them, but to cling to God alone.

Like the Israelites, we all face the temptation to turn to lesser gods.  We turn to empty entertainment, perfectionism, achievement, and other worldly comforts.  In doing so, we neglect the One who can deliver and heal us.

7. Joshua 24:15

But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua declared that he would serve the Lord.  Others are always watching our example.

This verse should prompt us to ask, am I pointing others to Jesus through my actions?  Or am I leading them away from him?Courage-Building Bible Verses From Joshua

8. Joshua 24:31

Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known every deed of the Lord which He had done for Israel.

Under Joshua’s strong leadership, Israel served God.  The people were attuned to God’s provision and his presence with them.

No matter what we face, we are all called to point others to the Lord and show them his presence and provision.

Many people in our lives have a basic awareness of Jesus, but they have never actually met him.  Our role is to carry the Living God into their lives so that they might meet Jesus.

No matter what you are stepping into today, if you are a follower of Christ, you carry his presence with you.  Help others meet Jesus, and you will fulfill your calling.

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If this post blessed you, I invite you to explore our library of family devotionals and free devotional books below.  Be blessed as you draw near to God!

Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God.  Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision.  They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love.  You can find all three books here or read more below.Daily Devotions for Kids

Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom.  Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world.  I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven!  You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord.  Find this life-changing devotional book here.God's Warrior Devotional for Boys

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion.  I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven.  Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Family Devotionals

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20.  It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing.  This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start.  Bekah and I will help you right here.

Family Devotionals

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God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life.  Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace.  They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.Christian Books for Hope, Healing, and Restoration

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I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.