“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
Joshua is another Bible Character that I love, and that most Christians should learn from and emulate. We are introduced to him in Exodus as Moses appoints him to choose and lead an Army against the Amalekites and in Numbers as one of the 12 that Spied out the land. But he is also mentioned as Moses personal “servant” who went up with him on Mount Sinai, and, did not depart from the Tent of Meeting. It is no surprise then, when we see Moses commissioning him to take his place at the end of Deuteronomy before he died. We also read “Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
It is within this context that God gives His first directives to Joshua, “so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.” He explains that “Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you”, “No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you”, and “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land”. But notice in Today’s Verse, the “Conditional Verbs” of God making this happen; “shall not” and “shall”. These address the phrases “This book of the Law” and “meditate on it day and night”. This is as straight forward as you can get!
This reminds me of Psalm 1 where we’re told “How Blessed is the man” that “Does Not” and “Does”. It’s the same principle. Joshua is told unequivocally that he will Conquer the Land “wherever he steps his foot” and that “No One” will be able to Oppose him. The Psalmist tells us that we are “Blessed” and that “Whatever we do will Prosper”. And “Both” of them have attached to them the Principle of Reading and Meditating on God’s Word. Do you desire for your way to be prosperous? Do you want success? Here are the Keys! Are you up to the Challenge? Godspeed!