Success in God's Eyes begins with His Word: Joshua 1

Here in this passage the Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him it is time to move the people from the wilderness to the Promise Land. God gives Joshua a strong exhortation that includes what to do and what to be. Joshua is to be strong and very courageous for the Lord God is with him and will never leave nor forsake him. I believe with all my heart the promise that God makes to Joshua, He also makes to us today! He truly will never leave nor forsake us. We might think all hell is breaking loose, but know that God is right there with us. He will not leave when the going gets tough.

The Lord also tells Joshua 'be careful to do according to all the law of Moses my servant...This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that yo umay be careful to do according to all that is written it it." The revealed word of God is to be in Joshua's mouth. He is to be utterly consumed with God's word. God also tells him to meditate on this word. The Hebrew word for meditate is actually a very interesting word. This word can mean 'growl, speak, moan, and even mutter.' And it seems as if God, when He tells Joshua to 'meditate' on His word, is telling Joshua to go around speaking to himself the word of God. That is how God's word will be on his mouth at all times. Joshua's meditation on God's word involves him going around day to day with it not only in his heart, but in his vocal cords, coming out of his mouth.

Meditation for us involves reading God's words, maybe writing it on an index card and taking it with us wherever we go. While in the car maybe we are looking at the verse. Maybe we post it in our office or on our computer. Maybe we put it in our calendar on our phone and set an alarm reminder. The point is simple the word of God should be close to us to the point it is a part of us and coming out of us.

Look at what God says next; "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." This statement is in context and connection of meditating on God's word. You see success in God's eyes begins with His word. Those who read God's word and follow it through are successful in God's sight. Do you want to be successful? Of course you do! You doesn't want to be a successful dad, mom, husband, wife, business guy or gal, student, ball player, lawyer, doctor, etc... If so, we need to be starting off with God's word and make sure that it is in our heart, in our vocal cords, coming out of our mouth, as well as our lives.

Make sure you spend time with the Lord this morning and make it a point to memorize and meditate on Joshua 1:8. Father, may we continue in Your word. Give us understanding and insight to Your word, as well as the strength and desire necessary for carrying it out. Thank you for Your word and how it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path and how if we hide your word in our heart, we may not sin against You.