Day 95

Joshua 1–2 | John 20:11–31 | Proverbs 8

The transition had come.

Moses—the legendary leader, the man who stood before Pharaoh, who parted the Red Sea, who met with God face to face—was dead.

And now it was Joshua’s turn.

He wasn’t Moses.

He wasn’t the one who led them out of Egypt.

He wasn’t the one with decades of leadership experience.

But he was the one God chose to lead His people forward.

And I imagine, as Joshua stood there, the weight of the task felt like a boulder on his shoulders.

Be strong and courageous.

Be strong and very courageous.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

(Joshua 1:6, 7, 9)

Strength and courage weren’t going to come from Joshua’s abilities. They would come from knowing who was with him.

Becoming the Guy

I know that feeling.

In my professional life, I’m the #2 guy. I support the CMO, Bob, who sets the vision, and I lead the team to make it happen. I thrive in that role—helping develop the strategy, managing the details, guiding the execution.

But stepping into the top spot?

Becoming “the guy” is daunting. The one who carries the vision. The one who bears the weight of responsibility.

And that’s how Joshua must have felt.

When Moses was alive, Joshua knew his role—support, follow, execute. But now, as he stands on the brink of the Promised Land, he’s the leader. And God is saying, “It’s your turn. Be strong. Be courageous. I am with you.”

That changes everything.

The Courage to Move Forward

When God calls us to step up, He doesn’t send us alone. He goes before us, walks beside us, and stays with us. That changes everything.

Just three days ago, we saw Jesus crucified. Beaten, mocked, nailed to a cross. The disciples scattered, hope crushed, courage gone.

But today—everything changes.

The tomb is empty.

The risen Savior stands outside the grave, speaking Mary’s name, showing His scars to Thomas, breathing peace on His followers.

When courage feels impossible, He steps in—alive, victorious, present.

And just like Joshua, just like Mary, just like the disciples—we don’t have to muster up courage on our own.

We just have to move forward—knowing He’s already there.

When Courage Feels Out of Reach

There are days I feel paralyzed. Days I don’t know how to lead—at work, at home, in life. Days I feel inadequate, uncertain, unsure.

But the story of Joshua—and the risen Christ—reminds me that courage doesn’t come from confidence in myself.

It comes from confidence in the One who conquered the grave.

When I think about my own journey, I realize I’m not just leading a team—I’m leading my family. I’m guiding my daughter through her preteen years, teaching her to follow Christ, helping her navigate a world that feels increasingly hostile to truth.

I have to step forward. Not because I’m strong—but because He goes before me.

The Power of Presence

When Jesus showed up in that locked room and said, “Peace be with you,” it wasn’t just a greeting. It was a declaration. Peace because He was present.

When He showed His hands and side, He wasn’t just proving His identity. He was proving His victory.

The scars didn’t go away. They became proof that death didn’t win. That He is still the King. That nothing can separate us from His love.

When I doubt my ability to move forward, I think of Joshua.

When I fear failure, I think of the empty tomb.

When I question my role as a leader, I think of Jesus stepping into that room, scars and all, declaring peace.

When the Road Feels Uncertain

Maybe today you’re facing something that feels too big.

A role you didn’t choose.

A responsibility you didn’t expect.

A future that feels daunting.

The answer isn’t to muster up courage.

It’s to remember who walks with you.

Who goes before you.

Who overcame the grave so that fear doesn’t have the final say.

Because He lives, I can step forward—even when I’m uncertain.

Because He lives, I can lead—even when I feel unqualified.

Because He lives, I can have courage—even when I feel weak.

The Risen King

The disciples saw the scars and believed.

Joshua heard God’s command and led.

And today—when I’m tempted to shrink back—I’ll remember that courage doesn’t mean I’m fearless.

It means I know Who is with me.

The One who conquered death.

The One who steps through locked doors.

The One who never leaves.

And I’ll move forward.

Not because I have it all together.

But because He does.

⸻

Lord, when courage feels beyond my reach, remind me that You are with me. Help me to move forward—not because I’m confident in myself, but because I’m confident in You. Thank You for being the risen Savior who never leaves, never fails, never gives up on me. Amen.