Daily Devotional - January 1st, 2026
“Have I not 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
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward because God has spoken.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
When Joshua stood at the edge of the promised land, he carried more than a military assignment. He carried a calling. Moses was gone, the responsibility was heavy, and the future was uncertain. Into that moment, God did not give Joshua a strategy first. He gave him a command: be strong and courageous. Strength was not optional. Courage was not negotiable. It was the posture required to step into God’s purposes.
That same charge meets us at the beginning of a new year. We do not know every challenge ahead, but we know the principles that govern success. Strength is not bravado. It is rootedness. Courage is not recklessness. It is obedience in motion. A nation built on freedom survives only when individuals choose a moral backbone over comfort. Families endure when parents lead with conviction rather than fear. Faith grows when believers trust God’s word more than shifting circumstances.
Joshua’s courage was anchored in law and presence. God told him to meditate on the law day and night and promised His constant companionship. Strength divorced from truth becomes arrogance. Courage without God’s presence turns into impulse. But when truth steadies the mind and God’s presence steadies the heart, courage becomes sustainable. This is how faith shapes character and character shapes destiny.
Christ lived this perfectly. He moved forward without compromise, loved without fear, and obeyed without retreat. To be strong and courageous today is to live as He lived. It means choosing truth when it costs, standing firm when it is unpopular, and trusting God when outcomes are unclear. This year will demand that kind of discipleship, and God is faithful to supply the strength He requires.
Scripture:
“Have I not 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
Daily Application:
Commit to one courageous act of obedience today, even if it feels uncomfortable.