Blue Haven Bible Study 3
Courage in Darkness (Strength for the Call)
Blue Haven Bible Study 3
Courage in Darkness (Strength for the Call)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9, NIV
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Welcome & Covenant Reminder
Hi guys! Welcome back, everyone. As always, this is a sacred and confidential space. You are free to speak or to remain silent; both are holy. No fixing, no judgment, just presence. But I’m so excited to see all-y’all.
Opening Prayer
Father, we come before You tonight needing courage we don't have on our own—courage to face what's ahead, courage to be honest about what we carry, and courage to trust that You're with us even in the darkest places. Fill us with Your strength, for we cannot do this alone. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Opening Scripture
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9, NIV
Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's moving forward in the presence of fear.
For law enforcement officers, courage is walking toward danger when everyone else is running away. It's pulling over that vehicle at 2 AM on a dark road when you don't know what's waiting on the other side of that window. It's entering that domestic violence call knowing the statistics—that DV calls are some of the most dangerous situations officers face. It's making split-second decisions with incomplete information, knowing you'll be judged later by people who had hours or days to analyze what you had seconds to assess.
Courage is doing the job even when you're afraid.
For spouses and families, courage looks different but cuts just as deep. It's watching your officer walk out the door every shift and choosing to trust God with what you cannot control. It's hearing sirens in the distance and forcing yourself not to panic. It's staying strong for your kids when they ask, "Is Mommy/Daddy going to be okay?" even though you're asking God the same question. It's living with the reality that every goodbye could be the last one, and still saying "I love you" and letting them go.
Courage is loving someone whose job puts them in harm's way, and choosing not to let fear destroy your peace.
When God spoke to Joshua, He didn't say, "Try your best to be brave" or "Hopefully you'll feel courageous enough eventually." He commanded it: "Be strong and courageous." That's not a suggestion; it's an order. And why would God command something that's impossible? Because courage isn't something you manufacture on your own; it's something you receive when you remember whose presence goes with you.
Joshua was about to lead Israel into enemy territory. Moses, the only leader they'd ever known, was dead. The people were afraid. The obstacles were massive. The odds were stacked against them. And in that moment, God didn't minimize the danger or promise it would be easy. Instead, He said: "I will be with you wherever you go."
That's the source of courage: not the absence of danger, but the presence of God in the middle of it.
Officers, you walk into darkness regularly. But you don't walk alone. God doesn't stand at a safe distance and cheer you on; He goes with you. Into the domestic. Into the traffic stop. Into the foot pursuit. Into the moments when everything goes sideways and you're making decisions that will be dissected and criticized and second-guessed for years. He is with you.
Families, you live with a different kind of darkness—the unknown, the waiting, the fear that lives in your chest every time your officer is on shift. But God is with you, too. In the anxiety-filled nights. In the moments when you're holding it together for everyone else. In the grief of anniversaries or near-misses or losses that haunt your household. He is with you.
Courage isn't about being fearless. Courage is about being faithful even when you're full of fear. It's about taking the next step forward—into the shift, into the day, into the conversation you've been avoiding—knowing that God's presence makes the difference between walking into darkness and walking through it.
There's a crucial distinction here that officers especially need to hear: Courage is not the same as recklessness. Recklessness ignores wisdom, rushes in without assessing risk, and acts foolishly in the name of bravery. But godly courage is wise, discerning, and strategic. It doesn't mean you take unnecessary risks, it means you move forward with wisdom when the situation requires action, trusting that God will be with you even when the outcome is uncertain.
You are not called to be foolish. You are called to be courageous.
And here's the beautiful promise embedded in this verse: God doesn't just command courage and leave you to figure it out. He gives you the reason you can obey the command: "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Wherever. Not just in the safe places. Not just when things go well. Not just when you feel spiritually strong or emotionally steady. Wherever you go, He is there.
Group Discussion Questions
What does courage look like for you—in uniform, or as a family member?
Where is fear trying to steal your peace right now?
When have you felt God's presence give you strength in a difficult moment?
Take-Home Reflection Questions (deeper, private)
What fears do I carry silently that I rarely admit out loud?
Where in my work or family life do I feel most in need of courage?
How do I usually handle fear—by hiding it, numbing it, or bringing it to God?
In what ways does fear affect my marriage, family, or relationships?
What specific promises of God can I cling to when fear rises up?
What does it mean to me personally that God commands courage rather than suggests it?
How might my life look different if I truly believed God was always with me?
What is one courageous step I feel God inviting me to take this week?
Prayer Focus
Courage for officers in dangerous or stressful situations
Courage for spouses facing loneliness or fear
Strength for marriages and families under pressure
The presence of God to drive out fear
Closing Prayer
Lord, You know the weight of fear that often sits heavy on these hearts. Tonight, we ask for courage; not the kind the world gives, but the courage that comes from Your presence. Fill our officers with boldness, fill our families with steady strength, and remind us that we never walk into the darkness alone. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Closing Declaration (Group together)
We will be strong and courageous, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. Fear will not rule us, for His presence is our strength. Amen.