This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
REFERENCE
Joshua 1:8
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do!”
This popular saying captures an important truth about life and living. There are rules and ways of behavior common to every home, organization or even nation. To survive and thrive in them, wise people follow these rules. They conduct themselves by the customs of the place they find themselves in. The Apostle Paul, in a letter to his younger friend and son in the Lord, Timothy, captured the Christian dimension of this reality: “I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing this to you now, so that, even if I cannot come soon, you will know how people should live in the family of God. That family is the Church of the Living God…” I Tim. 3:14-15 (ERV).
Thus, there are acceptable sets of values that every Christian must abide by in order to thrive in their Christian journey; these values are timeless in their relevance and effectiveness. One such value is that of having a consistent quiet time to fellowship with God in His Word. Jesus said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). So, becoming an ardent student of the Word of God is foundational to true Christian growth, balance and to finding stability in life.
God’s instruction to Joshua on ‘Being Successful’ in Joshua 1:8 can be summarized in this manner:
- This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth – The best investment you can make in yourself is to get the knowledge of the Word; make it your language so it conditions your speech, and let it be your verbal response to life’s situations and temptations.
- You shall meditate in it day and night – ‘YOU’ and not your pastor, friend, sibling, or spouse should ponder it in your heart always.
- You may observe to do according to all that is written in it – Apply what it says to your life’s situations; and not merely observe it. Let it also be your behavioral response to life.
- For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success – when you do all the above, success will come to you.
Many Christians feed on heavy meals morning, noon and night, but only snack on the Word of God. They are cheating their spirit man to satisfy the flesh and this is detrimental to them because any Christian who does not grow in the Word will often always be a victim of satanic manipulations. Therefore, a Christian who wants to live in perpetual victory must feed daily on the Word – get a version of the bible you can easily understand, and get in the Word as you start each day; it will strengthen your Christian roots.
SCRIPTURE PHOTO
ADDITIONAL STUDY
Psalm 119:97-105, Proverbs 4:1-10 (ESV), & II Timothy 3:16-17
PRAYER
Lord I pray and receive grace to prioritize my private devotion in Your Word. Let Your Word not depart from my mouth, may I meditate on it day and night and may I observe and apply it to my daily life, so that I can make my way prosperous by it and have lasting success as a Christian in Jesus’ name.
