Key Verse:

“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.” — Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

There comes a time in every believer’s life when following God means taking a stand. It’s easy to talk about faith when everyone around you agrees—but real discipleship is tested when obedience costs something.
Every generation faces a moment when they must decide whom they will serve. For Daniel, it was the command to bow before Babylon’s image. For Esther, it was the risk of approaching the king. For Joseph, it was the temptation to compromise in secret. Their choices changed history—but they also reveal something about God’s people today.
Following God’s call will always require courage.

Courage Is a Choice

Courage doesn’t mean you feel fearless—it means you act faithfully despite fear. When God told Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, He didn’t promise a trouble-free path. He simply said, “Be strong and of a good courage.” The assurance wasn’t that the battle would be easy, but that God would be with him in the battle.

Courage begins when we remember who stands beside us. You may not have all the answers or see the full outcome, but God’s presence is the guarantee that obedience will never lead you astray.

Ellen G. White wrote,

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men who will not be bought or sold; men who in their inmost souls are true and honest; men who do not fear to call sin by its right name; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole—men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” — Education, p. 57.

That kind of courage doesn’t come from personality or talent—it comes from conviction.

God’s Call Always Tests Faith

Throughout Scripture, those who followed God faced defining moments where faith demanded action.

Noah built an ark while the world mocked him.
Moses confronted Pharaoh, trusting God would deliver.
Esther risked her life to save her people.
The three Hebrews stood tall while everyone else bowed.

They all had one thing in common: they obeyed before they saw the results.

Ellen White reminds us,

“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 331.

Peace comes not from knowing the outcome but from knowing the One who leads. God never calls us to blind risk—He calls us to intelligent trust.

Courage in the Last Days

In the last days, standing for God will again require courage. Revelation 14 describes those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” The pressure to compromise will be immense—social, political, and even spiritual. But those who stand firm will do so because they learned to trust God now, in the little tests.

Daniel didn’t start with the lion’s den—he started with a plate of food in Babylon. Faithfulness in daily life prepared him for crisis. The small acts of obedience you make today are training you to stand when the world demands surrender.

Courage through Connection

You cannot stand for God without walking with God. Courage is born in the prayer closet long before it’s shown in public.

David’s boldness before Goliath came from quiet trust built in the fields, alone with God. He told Saul, “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion… He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). Past experiences of faith build present courage.

If you spend time daily in Scripture and prayer, courage becomes a reflex. You won’t have to manufacture bravery—it will rise naturally from communion with Christ.

When God’s Will Isn’t Popular

Standing for truth may cost you friendships, opportunities, or acceptance. But compromise always costs more. The world respects courage even when it disagrees with conviction.

Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you… for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11–12). Heaven keeps record of every decision made for righteousness.

God doesn’t ask for perfection—He asks for faithfulness. Every time you stand for right in a small matter, heaven celebrates. Every moment you refuse to yield to pressure, your faith grows stronger.

The Promise of God’s Presence

When Joshua stood on the edge of the Promised Land, God didn’t give him a battle plan—He gave him a promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” (Joshua 1:5).

You may not know what tomorrow brings, but you can know Who goes with you. That assurance turns fear into faith and doubt into courage.

Ellen White says,

“When we give ourselves wholly to God and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment.” — Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 363.

God doesn’t just call you to courage—He commits Himself to stand with you when you take that stand.

Reflection Thought

Every great move of God begins with one brave decision. The courage to obey today may change your eternity tomorrow.

When God calls, step forward—even trembling. He’ll make your weakness a platform for His strength.

Prayer Thought:
“Lord, give me courage to follow You wherever You lead. Help me to stand for truth even when it’s unpopular, and remind me that You are always with me.”

Written by -

Pastor Jorge Alvarado

Decisions that Shape Destiny — When God’s Call Requires Courage