What Does Joshua 1:8 Mean?

"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 success.

Joshua 1:8(NASB)

Verse of the Day

All Scripture is the Word of God, and Joshua was an example of a godly man who both believed God's Word and acted upon it. Joshua knew the value of hearing God's Word and meditating upon it. He knew that neglecting the Word of the Lord was a recipe for disaster and like Mary of Bethany, he learned the one thing that was needful, to listen to the voice of the Lord and to meditate upon all that He has said day and night. And like them, we too need to ponder it in our hearts and talk about it to other believers.

Like Joshua, we would be wise to take heed to God's Word, to recite His Word using our mind, to keep the truth of His Word forever on our lips and in our hearts, and to observe all that God has written to us in our lives. For then we will prosper and succeed in whatsoever we do, to our benefit and to His glory.

Sometimes we misunderstand what it means, 'to succeed' or 'to prosper' which has given rise to a prosperity teaching which places the emphasis on temporal, worldly prosperity rather than eternal spiritual wealth. God may choose to bestow worldly wealth on His children or He may permit the alternative, but the goods and chattel of this world are passing away, and like Paul we need to be content in all things.

What is important, is to know the Word of God, to trust the Word of God, and to apply the Word of God in every circumstance of life, knowing that to do so will lead to success in the Christian life; for all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and trust His Word.

We should read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of the Lord. We should study God's Book of instruction, particularly those passages that relate specifically to the Church, and we should continually feed on His Word in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

We should meditate on His Word, memorise His Word, trust His Word, and love His Word, and we should be sure to obey His Word and apply His Word in our daily lives, for in so doing we will certainly prosper and succeed in all we do, to His praise and glory.

My Prayer

Loving Lord, thank You for the Scriptures. I pray that in the weeks and months that lie ahead, I may read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Your Word and treasure it in my heart, for I desire to prosper in the things of God and to give glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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