Dare to Be a Joshua

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Today’s Text: Joshua 1:1–9

Key Verse: Joshua 1:9 (KJV) — “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.”

As we continue on our Dare series: a biblical exploration of men and women who stood courageously for God in their generation and left an uncommon godly mark, the book of Joshua introduces us to a faithful servant who dared to lead God’s people forward at one of the most critical moments in their history. Moses, the great leader through whom God had delivered Israel from Egypt and guided them through the wilderness, was dead. A new generation stood at the edge of the Promised Land, facing a daunting river, fortified cities, powerful nations, and an uncertain future. Yet Joshua did not allow the absence of Moses or the magnitude of the assignment to paralyze him. He trusted the God who had called him.

Joshua’s story teaches us that godly courage is not the absence of transition, grief, uncertainty, or opposition. It is the decision to obey God and move forward because His presence goes with us. Joshua had served faithfully under Moses for many years, learning to follow God, stand in battle, and remain near His presence. Before Joshua led publicly, he had learned to serve humbly. God’s charge to him was clear: “Be strong and of a good courage.” This command was repeated because the task before him was real and demanding. Joshua would need courage to lead a people who had often complained and rebelled. He would need courage to cross into unfamiliar territory. He would need courage to confront enemies and divide the inheritance among the tribes.

However, the foundation of his courage was not his military skill, experience, or personality. It was the promise of God: “I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” His strength comes from meditation in the word of God day and night, to observe and do all that was written in it. His success was not to come by human strategy alone, but through steadfast obedience to God’s Word. In a generation that often seeks quick results, public applause, and easy paths, Joshua reminds us that lasting victory is rooted in a life governed by Scripture.

God’s Word gives direction when the path is unclear, strength when the heart is weary, and wisdom when decisions are difficult. Joshua dared to move when God said move. He did not wait until the Jordan River looked easy to cross. He did not wait until Jericho’s walls fell by themselves. He did not wait until every person agreed with the mission. He believed that where God directs, God provides. He understood that God’s promise required his obedience. The land was promised, but it still had to be possessed.

Faith does not sit passively before divine promises; faith rises, prepares, obeys, and advances in the strength of the Lord. You too must dare to be a Joshua. Dare to rise after disappointment, change, loss, or delay. Dare to accept the responsibility God has placed before you. Dare to lead with humility, courage, and obedience to His Word. Dare to move forward even when you do not have every answer, because the God who called you will go with you. The challenge before you may be greater than your natural ability, but it is never greater than the presence and power of God.

Joshua’s obedience did not only affect his own life; it helped an entire generation enter into what God had promised. One person who remains faithful to God’s instruction can become a channel of courage, direction, and blessing to a family, church, workplace, and community. Dare to stand strong in the Lord. Dare to keep His Word before you. Dare to take the next step of obedience. The God who was with Joshua is with you, and through Him, you can make an uncommon godly mark in your generation.

Action Steps: Today, identify one transition, responsibility, or challenge that has made you feel afraid or inadequate. Bring it before the Lord in prayer, and receive His command to be strong and courageous. Commit yourself afresh to the study and obedience of God’s Word, asking Him to guide your decisions through it. Reflect on a season when God faithfully brought you through an unfamiliar or difficult path, and let that testimony strengthen your present faith. Take one practical, obedient step toward the assignment God has placed before you, trusting that His presence goes with you.

Quote for the Day: “The assignment may be greater than your strength, but it is never greater than the God whose presence goes with you; dare to move forward in courage.” — (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Joshua, who trusted You and moved forward in obedience when the task before him was great. Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, uncertainty, past disappointments, or the size of my assignment to discourage me. Help me to be strong and of good courage, not because of my ability, but because You are always with me. Give me a heart that loves Your Word, follows Your instruction, and obeys Your voice. Strengthen me to rise, lead, serve, and advance in every purpose You have entrusted to me. Use my faith and obedience to bring glory to Your name and encouragement to others. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Deuteronomy 31:6–8; Psalm 1:1–3; Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5–6.

With love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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