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.
Joshua 1:8 KJV
Today, we will continue our study of Joshua 1, exploring the Word of the Lord to the new leader of Israel, Joshua. His predecessor, Moses, who was called the world’s meekest man at his time, though he had led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, missed entering into the promised land. The reason was that he disobeyed the command of God, after being frustrated by the same people Joshua was to lead, Numbers 20:10-13. Moses shoes were big for any mere man to wear. Joshua needed all the counsel he could get, but more so a sure word from God who called him to lead His people, if he would ever succeed talk more of having good success. Jesus came through the earth and lived a sinless life and carried out a great mandate. When He was leaving, He established a church and asked that we continue His work on the earth, to share the same message that He was sharing, about the coming Kingdom, with power, words and deed, Matthew 28:18-20. It is impossible for any man to fill Jesus’ shoes except they have a Word from God and His backing.
The Lord, knowing the weight of Joshua’s responsibility gave Him clear counsel, some of which we explored from Joshua 1 yesterday. The next counsel given to Joshua was to meditate on the law given to Moses by God. First God told him that the law should never depart from his mouth. This means he was to continue speaking it. Moses commanded the people in Deuteronomy 6:7 that they should talk about them when they sit at home and when they walk along the road, when they lie down and when they get up. They were pretty much to memorize and keep speaking the Word. Joshua was also asked to meditate on the law. The Word “meditate” in the scripture is translated from the Hebrew word “hâgâh” which means to ponder, to murmur, to imagine, to roar, growl or speak. It is an active word that requires a consciousness and doing. Speaking this law and meditating on it will enable Joshua do everything in it. Today we will consider the speaking aspect of this command to meditate.
God made the world by the spoken word. Almost all His miracles, including raising Lazarus was done using by the spoken word. Jesus said that the Words He speaks are Spirit and life, John 6:63. We see a manifestation of this in Ezekiel 2:1-2 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. [2] And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. Lazarus, at the spoken word of the Lord, had his life restored, John 11:43. As children of God, when we speak the Word of God in faith, His life and Spirit accompanies it. This is why Jesus says you can say to a mountain, be cast out and moved into this sea and it will move. There is a spirit dimension in the unseen realm to carry out the command. This was also seen when Peter spoke in faith the man born lame at the beautiful gate, Acts 3:1-8.
The Word of God is a person, who upholds all things as Hebrews 1:3 says. The word doesn’t only do physical miracles, it is very potent to perform moral miracles as well. It can convert a person depraved in sin and uphold one who is a believer but with slipping feet. Contained in this Word spoken is the ability to do all God commands us to do. Paul said the Word is nigh thee, even in our lips, Romans 10:8. One of the counsels for the Lord in this time, if we are to have good success, we need to speak God’s promises over us in faith, activating the Spirit of life contained in this Word. God said, let the weak say I am strong and let the poor say I am rich, Joel 3:10. This is not asking them to lie, but to recite the promises of God in faith, enabling them to enjoy the benefit. Be wise in your speaking beloved, He that is born of God does not sin, this is one promise among many. Pick one or two today and Roar with it to your salvation.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, today You have spoken Your word to me which is able to convert my soul (emotions, desires, will and mind) and I will hear it twice by re echoing it to myself. Lord I choose to heed to your counsel today and proclaim Your Word. I speak confidently, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. In You, I am holy, made whole in my body and mind. In You I have strength and through You I will have good success! Amen.
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