February 9, 2024

Joshua 1.8(NIV)
“Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

We make decisions throughout each waking moment of the day, but first those decisions must be evaluated and compared with what God has instructed his people to do.*

Joshua was not one-dimensional. Yes, he was a military man, but after his promotion, he was called upon to address his peers and his superiors; he was handed the reins of government; and he was to fulfill his duties as the new leader while in the process of conquering the land. Surely there had been some on-the-job training while Moses was still alive!

The first nine verses of Joshua, chapter one, contain Joshua’s orientation session with God. In this verse, God commands Joshua not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth. His mouth? Why doesn’t God order him not let it depart from his heart or his head? . . . How else does God’s Word get to our mouths if it’s not in our hearts and heads? But it is not enough to just think about it – we must talk about it. . . . And don’t just think and talk about it – do what it says.

Can we, then, expect prosperity and success if we follow these steps? We might reason that prosperity and success can be ours, just not as defined by the world’s standards, but the fact is, this promise was for Joshua, not us. God does not promise wealth and success to all of his children. We know that the rest of God's words to Joshua may be applied to us because they are reflected elsewhere in scripture.

So, do not let the Word of God depart from your mouth – or your heart or your head. Let it become as much a part of you as your breath. Maybe you will be prosperous . . . or maybe you won't, but surely you will be successful . . . depending on your definition of success!

Being successful is not proof of being saved.*

EXTRA SPLASH: Silent reading was almost unknown in Joshua’s day.*