Meditate the Word
The Lord gave Joshua everything he needed in order to fulfill all he was called to do. And, basically, it came down to this simple instruction: meditate the Word of God.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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 ESV)
Meditation, according to the Word of God, is a very personal and powerful thing. For example, to meditate the Word is to ponder it, think about it, mull it over and over in your mind; thinking of different ways to apply what you are reading or hearing.
Joshua’s instructions: speak, mutter, remind yourself over and over all God has told you. Day and night, night and day. Always. That way you will always know what to do, how and when to do it, IF you are to do it.
That bit of information is what would lead to his success and, ultimately, his and Israel’s prosperity.
David knew the meditation principle, as well.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3 ESV)
Just hanging out with the crowd, even a church crowd, won’t guarantee success in the things of God. Success and prosperity (God’s kind) only come from PURPOSELY doing things God’s way.
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies…” (Psalm 119:97-98 ESV)
“…Wiser than my enemies…” Wouldn’t that be a great thing to have? More wisdom than our enemies? It’s what Jesus had when He walked this earth as the Son of Man. The devil couldn’t trap or trip Him.
And He was able to secure God’s promises for us.
Jeremiah said basically the same thing:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)
Always bearing fruit, never fearing the unknown, forever trusting God and experiencing God’s faithful care.
The Word of God is demonstrated through the life of those who take the time to meditate on God and His Word.
What do you meditate on? Your fears and worries? Or do you meditate on the Word of God?
Your choice. God will never leave you nor forsake you; decide to do things His way and watch His Word come to pass right before your eyes.
Jan Grace 