Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6: Be Strong and Courageous Because God Goes With You
Introduction
Deuteronomy 31:6 is a powerful call to courage grounded in God’s presence and faithfulness. Moses speaks to the people of Israel at a significant transition in their history. They are preparing to enter the land God had promised to give them, but Moses will no longer lead them into the land.
The people are facing an uncertain future, new responsibilities, and opposition from nations already living in the land. Into that situation, Moses tells them to be strong and courageous. The reason is not that they are naturally powerful or that the journey will be easy. Their confidence rests on the Lord their God, who goes with them and will not abandon them.
For Christians, this passage offers an important principle: courage is not primarily the absence of difficult circumstances. It is confidence in God’s presence and faithfulness while facing them.
The Bible Passage
Deuteronomy 31:6 calls Israel to strength and courage rather than fear or dread of the nations they will encounter.
The foundation of this command is God’s presence. The Lord Himself will go with His people, and He will neither leave them nor forsake them.
The verse therefore has a clear progression:
Be strong and courageous → do not live in fear → remember that God goes with you → trust His faithfulness.
The emphasis is not on Israel’s ability to overcome every challenge through its own power. The emphasis is on God’s presence with His covenant people.
Biblical Context
Deuteronomy 31 occurs near the end of Moses’ life and leadership.
The Israelites are on the threshold of entering the Promised Land. Moses tells them that he will not cross the Jordan with them. Joshua will succeed him as their leader.
This creates an important transition.
The people must continue forward without the leader who has guided them through the wilderness. They are also about to face opposition as they enter the land.
Moses first encourages the people in verse 6. He then speaks directly to Joshua in verse 7, giving him a similar command to be strong and courageous. In verse 8, Moses again emphasizes that the Lord will go before Joshua, be with him, and not abandon him.
The chapter therefore connects courage with God’s continued presence during a leadership transition.
The passage belongs to Israel’s specific covenant history. God had delivered Israel from Egypt, brought them through the wilderness, and was leading them toward the land He had promised.
The Christian application should therefore respect that historical setting. The verse is not a guarantee that every modern undertaking will succeed or that Christians will never experience opposition.
Its enduring principle is that God’s people can face their responsibilities with courage because God is faithful and present.
Meaning of the Passage
“Be Strong and Courageous”
The command recognizes that the people have reasons to feel intimidated.
Strength and courage are not presented as personality traits that some people naturally possess while others do not. Israel is commanded to cultivate courage because of who God is.
Biblical courage does not mean pretending that challenges are small.
It means refusing to allow fear to determine faithfulness.
The people are called to move forward with obedience despite uncertainty.
“Do Not Fear or Be in Dread of Them”
The immediate reference is to the nations Israel would encounter.
The command does not mean that Israel should behave recklessly or deny the reality of opposition. Rather, they were not to regard their enemies as greater than the God who was with them.
Fear becomes dangerous when it causes God’s people to forget God’s character and promises.
The passage redirects their attention from the size of the opposition to the greatness of their God.
“The LORD Your God Who Goes With You”
This is the foundation of the entire command.
God does not merely send Israel forward with instructions and leave them alone. Moses tells them that the Lord Himself goes with them.
The emphasis is therefore relational.
Their courage is based on God’s presence.
Throughout Scripture, God’s presence is a central source of confidence for His people.
“He Will Not Leave You or Forsake You”
This final assurance emphasizes God’s faithfulness.
Israel’s circumstances may change. Their leadership may change. Their enemies may be strong. But God’s commitment to His covenant purposes remains.
The statement does not mean that Israel will never experience hardship. The history recorded later in Scripture shows that Israel encountered many serious difficulties.
It means that God’s people should not interpret difficulty as proof that God has abandoned them.
What It Teaches About God
Deuteronomy 31:6 reveals God as faithful and present.
He does not abandon His people when circumstances become difficult.
He is also greater than the opposition facing His people. The command to reject fear is grounded in His presence rather than Israel’s own military confidence.
God is also faithful through transitions. Moses is leaving his leadership role, but God’s presence does not leave with Moses.
This is an important principle. Human leaders, circumstances, and seasons change. God remains faithful.
For Christians, God’s presence is understood through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises His disciples His continuing presence, and the New Testament repeatedly encourages believers to trust God rather than live under the control of fear.
What It Teaches About Faith
Faith means trusting God while moving forward in obedience.
The Israelites could not remain indefinitely at the edge of the Jordan. They had responsibilities to fulfill.
Similarly, Christian faith is not simply believing certain truths while refusing to act. Faith can involve taking the next responsible step even when the whole path is not visible.
Faith also requires distinguishing courage from self-confidence.
The message is not, “You are strong enough to handle everything.”
It is, “God is with you.”
That difference protects believers from both fear and pride.
We can acknowledge our limitations while still moving forward faithfully because our confidence ultimately rests in God.
Applying It to Daily Life
Face responsibilities with prayerful courage. When something important is ahead, bring it before God rather than allowing fear to make every decision.
Do not confuse uncertainty with God’s absence. Not knowing what will happen next does not mean God has abandoned you.
Take the next faithful step. You may not know the entire future, but you can often identify the next responsible action.
Seek wise counsel. Courage does not eliminate the need for wisdom. Trusted and mature counsel can help us make responsible decisions.
Remember God’s faithfulness during transitions. Changes in career, family responsibilities, leadership, or other areas of life can be unsettling. God’s character does not change when circumstances do.
Do not let fear become your master. Fear can provide useful information, but it should not automatically determine your choices.
Responding to Difficult Circumstances
Difficult circumstances can make courage challenging.
A new responsibility may seem too large. A workplace challenge may create uncertainty. Family difficulties may leave you wondering what to do next. A major decision may involve risks you cannot completely predict.
Deuteronomy 31:6 does not promise that every challenge will end exactly as we hope.
Instead, it gives us a foundation for responding.
We can acknowledge the difficulty honestly, pray for wisdom, gather the information we need, seek appropriate help, and then take the next faithful step.
There may be times when courage means persevering. At other times, wisdom may require changing direction. Trusting God does not mean stubbornly pursuing a particular plan regardless of circumstances.
The central question is whether we can remain faithful to God while facing what is before us.
When circumstances are beyond our control, we can continue trusting the God who does not abandon His people.
Reflection Questions
- What situation currently requires courage from you?
- How does God’s presence change the way you view that situation?
- What is the difference between biblical courage and self-confidence?
- Are there fears that are preventing you from taking a responsible next step?
- How can you combine prayer, wisdom, and courage when making decisions?
- What past experiences of God’s faithfulness can you remember?
- How can you encourage someone who is facing a major transition or difficult responsibility?
Related Bible Verses
- Deuteronomy 31:7–8 — Moses gives Joshua a similar command to be strong and courageous because the Lord goes before him.
- Joshua 1:7–9 — Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous while obeying God’s instruction and leading Israel.
- Psalm 23:4 — David finds courage in God’s presence while walking through a dark valley.
- Isaiah 41:10 — God tells His people not to fear because He is with them, strengthening and helping them.
- Matthew 28:20 — Jesus promises His continuing presence with His disciples.
- Hebrews 13:5–6 — Encourages believers to live confidently because God will not abandon them.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 — Reminds Christians that God gives what is needed for courageous and disciplined living rather than fearfulness.
A Short Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me strength and courage when I face uncertainty, responsibility, or opposition. Help me remember that I do not have to depend entirely on my own strength. Give me wisdom to know the right steps to take and humility to seek help when I need it. When fear becomes strong, remind me of Your faithfulness and presence. Help me move forward in obedience without becoming reckless or self-reliant. Thank You for Your promise that You do not abandon Your people. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 31:6 was spoken at a significant moment in Israel’s history. Moses was approaching the end of his leadership, Joshua would take responsibility, and the people were preparing to enter the Promised Land.
They had genuine reasons to feel uncertain. Yet Moses did not tell them that there was nothing to fear because the journey would be easy. He pointed them to something more fundamental: the Lord their God would go with them.
That is the foundation of biblical courage.
For Christians today, the passage does not guarantee that every plan will succeed or that every difficult circumstance will disappear. Instead, it reminds us that uncertainty does not require us to live under the control of fear.
We can pray, prepare, seek wisdom, accept appropriate help, and take faithful steps while trusting God with what lies beyond our control.
Courage is therefore not pretending to be strong enough for everything. It is recognizing our limitations while placing our confidence in the faithful God who is with us.
When the future is uncertain, God’s faithfulness remains certain. We can move forward with courage because our confidence rests not in ourselves, but in the God who goes with His people.
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