“ Have not I commanded you? Be strong, and of a good courage. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for YHWH your God is with you wherever you go.”
God had pointed to the land he was to possess (Joshua 1:2-4), He had pointed to the enemy (Joshua 1:5), He had pointed to the purpose (Joshua 1:6), He had pointed to the word of God and the need for obedience (Joshua 1:7-8), now He pointed to Himself. It is He Who has commanded. That is why Joshua can have strength and courage. That is why he need not be afraid, because YHWH his God was with him wherever he went.
He had, of course, indirectly pointed to Himself all the way through. ‘I give it to them -- to you I have given it -- I was with Moses -- I will be with you -- I will not fail you or forsake you -- I swore to your fathers to give them', God was in it all, but here He laid the greatest stress on it, ‘is it not I Who have commanded? -- it is YHWH your God Who is with you'. YHWH, ‘the One Who is there', ‘the One Who causes to be', the One Who always is, the God of creation, the God of battle, remember that it is He Who is with you, and with you wherever you go.
“Do not be afraid, nor be you dismayed.” He would face many problems, many enemies, many seemingly insurmountable difficulties, but he need not fear any, he need not be dismayed at any, because it was his God YHWH Who would be with him wherever he went. And He can surmount anything.
With these words God bolstered the courage of Joshua, who was apprehensive as a result of taking over the role of Moses and apprehensive as he looked across at that unknown land. What did lie before them? But knowing that he had God with him, what else could he need? He was content.
These words have much to say to us. Whatever our calling in life God calls us to be strong and courageous. He also calls us to meditate in His word day and night with a view to obeying all His commands. We must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). If we are not obeying Him in the details of our lives there is little point in making great offerings.