The Key to Blessing and Growing in the Lord

 

Moses had just died. Joshua was now the leader of over a million people. Think about that for a moment. Think of the incredible responsibility and the HUGE shoes he had to fill. Now, it was his job to lead this pack of rebellious, complaining, sacrilegious people into a strange land where they would engage in ferocious battles against seven wicked nations. Remember Joshua was in his 80s by now. 

Talk about stress!  But here in Joshua 1, the Lord encourges him three times and in the middle he tells Joshua how to find sure success! 

 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  Joshua 1:6-9

Notice the underlined part. This is huge and reinterated throughout Scripture. The Lord is telling Joshua to read the Scriptures! Not only read them but meditate on them, memorize them, keep them hidden in his mind and spirit. Know them!  Only then will he be able to follow them and only then will the Lord make his way prosperous and successful. 

Psalm 1 says the exact same thing

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

 

YET. So many Christians hardly read their Bibles. They may read a paragraph in the morning or a short page in a devotional (doesn't count!)  but how many actually take 30 minute to an hour to sit and really read and study and meditate on Scripture? I would guess that most just rely on their pastor on Sunday or a sermon online to hear the Words of God. I know it takes time. I know many of you are working and raising families. I get it. But I can honestly attribute both my success and my growth in my walk with Jesus to my time reading His Word. 

 

I don't just read it. I talk with Jesus about it. I ask Him questions, mention things that blessed me... tell Him how wise and loving He is. If you do that.. and if you keep His Word in your heart, you'll be amazed at how close your relationship with Him willl become. 

 

Thank God, most of us do not have the responsiblity that weighed on Joshua's shoulders. Did God tell him to armor up? Did He tell Joshua to fast, sacrifice 10 bulls, 3 goats and a sheep? Did He tell him to drop and do 100 pushups or practice swordplay with his fellow warriors? No. He told him to read the Bible and meditate and know the Word of God. 

 

Why should we do any less?