Three times in this chapter God tells Joshua and the people, “Be strong and courageous.” When God says something once, we are to take notice and do what he says. When he says something twice, we are to give his words careful attention. When he says something three times, we are to take it to heart. 

Today God says to us, “Be strong and courageous” three times (verses 6, 7, 23). This brings to mind a question: Where do we get this strength and courage? 

Where God guides, God provides. In each of these verses, God tells us this: “I will not leave you or abandon you. I will be with you.” We can be strong and courageous because he is with us. We are never out of his care. 

You and I cannot go where God is not in this life. When we live on mission with him, we acknowledge his presence, his power, and his provision for whatever is before us. 

What if you lived as if God were with you in all things today? What would that make possible? 

What if you asked God for his direction today, and what if you stepped forward into whatever he placed before you? What could happen? 

You and I can live with the confident assurance of God’s smile on our lives when we commit to walk in his ways. What a difference a day makes when we walk in the strength and courage God gives to all who acknowledge him!