Joshua 1: 9 – 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.
Throughout the Bible, there are various moments where God tells someone not to be afraid. Each one comes at a time when the hearer has every reason to be very afraid.
In one instance, Joshua, the leader of Israel after the death of Moses, was taking the Israelites to their promised land (see Exodus 3). He was leading over one million people to a place God had promised, and it meant going through some overwhelming and terrifying situations.
In the midst of this, God commanded Joshua to do two things:
Obey the Word of God and be strong and courageous because the Lord was with them. (See: Joshua 1:7-9)
THE NEW COVENANT MEANING OF: “God is with You”
Under the Old Covenant, the presence of God was conditional, often external, and tied to specific places, such as the tabernacle or the temple. People hoped for God to come and be with them based on obedience to the Law. But under the New Covenant of Grace, the meaning of “God is with you” becomes far more intimate, constant, and unbreakable—because of Jesus Christ.
GOD IS WITH YOU THROUGH JESUS (IMMANUEL)
“…they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” — Matthew 1:23
Jesus is Immanuel, the literal embodiment of God with us. Through His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection, He brought God to us and removed the separation caused by sin.
GOD IS NOW IN YOU THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
“…you are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
— Hebrews 13:5
Under the New Covenant, God is not just with you—He is in you. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a permanent residence, not a temporary visit.
This means:
In suffering, God is with you.
In uncertainty, God is with you.
In failure, He doesn’t leave you.
Even when you don’t “feel” Him, His presence remains.
In Matthew 28, Jesus says something similar just after His resurrection. He is with His eleven disciples, and He tells them:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV (Emphasis added)
Jesus tells His disciples two main things:
– Obey His word (“go into all nations and make disciples”) and He would be with them.
– God is always the same. He was the same God when He gave Joshua His word and the assurance of His presence, and He is the same God who gives us His Word and assures us of His presence. We are known, loved, and cared for by the faithful, consistent God, and He will never leave or abandon us.
Under the New Covenant of Grace, “God is with you” means:
Christ has permanently united you with God.
The Holy Spirit lives in you, not just with you.
His presence doesn’t come and go—it is eternal and unconditional.
You are empowered, guided, and comforted every step of your journey.
Today, reflect on the ways you can teach others about Jesus and His words. How does His Word and His presence make you strong and courageous? Before leaving this time, thank God for His promise to always be with you. Amen.
