Creator, Father, King #98

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

IMAGINE, FOR A MOMENT, this scenario: you are the newly appointed leader of a young nation. The previous leader—your mentor, a beloved and incomparable prophet whom God knew face-to-face—is dead. Now, all of the responsibility to lead approximately two million grumbling rebels falls on your shoulders. In addition, you are about to guide them into a land filled with fierce pagan people groups, who dwell in well-fortified cities and are superior to you in warfare. Plus, you will face giants!

This was the overwhelming challenge that Joshua faced after Moses died. You can imagine his potential trepidation as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

How, then, would Joshua and Israel succeed in driving out the Canaanites and fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? God did not tell Joshua to hold an emergency boot camp, or quickly form military alliances with neighboring nations, or deploy his tanks, fighter planes, and nuclear submarines.

God told him to study Scripture.

What’s It Mean?

Here’s what God specifically told Joshua:

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Are you surprised at God’s answer? You shouldn’t be!

Rather than relying on military might or human power, God wanted Joshua to rely on him. Drawing strength from God can only come from knowing and obeying Scripture.

This is a powerful reminder for us today, too. We cannot succeed spiritually in life without planting God’s Word into our hearts. Unlike Joshua, we have the benefit of God’s full revealed canon of Scripture—all sixty-six books of the Bible.

Read the Bible daily. Study it. Memorize it. Love it. Obey it. Treasure it. “Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Now What?

Memorize today’s verse!

Did You Know?

Meditating on Scripture has nothing to do with meditation linked to Eastern transcendentalism. It simply means to prayerfully think through what you read.