The Power of Meditation
Scripture: Joshua 1:7-9 - Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
After wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, a new generation was ready to enter Canaan – known as the Promised Land. First God prepared God prepared both Joshua and the nation by teaching them the importance of meditating in the book of the law day and night -- to obey it and, he taught them not to turn from it – to the right or to the left. Joshua had to stay focused and not to compromise his faith and walk with the Lord. We as Christians also have to meditate on God’s word day and night in order to have spiritual success in our lives. The word meditate means to read with thoughtfulness, to ponder or linger in God’s word and to ask the Holy Spirit how we can apply it to all areas of our lives. Then God said -- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous. What made Joshua and the people of God strong and courageous was obeying God’s law. Many people think that prosperity and success comes from having power, influence, personal contacts. That view from the world’s standard, which leads to pride and disappoint, hatred, envy, jealousy and bitterness – which leads to destruction of life. As Christians we have to make a choice to follow God’s way to prosperity and spiritual success. To be wise is to chase God’s way to success. We must obey the rules for living, which are found in God’s law. For many people success is controlling others. For Joshua, success meant being controlled by God and His word. What about you? Will you let the world’s standards for success control you or God’s standards, principles and truth from His word control your life? Just as Joshua and all the people of the nation had to focus as they were in spiritual warfare – dealing with situations like crossing the Jordan River and fighting the Battle of Jericho, then the wall came down. As they conquered nations, they also had some failures. We too as Christians will have to face our Jordan Rivers and Jericho walls of life. Only when we obey God’s word and act on what we know that God has said can we be assured of success in carrying out His purpose so that we can walk in victory! When we fail, we are to repent of our sins and move on. By asking God to direct us and help us to conquer our challenges of life by the power of God and/or by meditating on God’s word day and night, will we have victory.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your promise in Joshua 1:9. Just as you told Joshua to be strong and of good courage and not to be afraid or dismayed – that You would be with him wherever he went, we can rest upon the same promise for our lives. Thank you Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
After wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, a new generation was ready to enter Canaan – known as the Promised Land. First God prepared God prepared both Joshua and the nation by teaching them the importance of meditating in the book of the law day and night -- to obey it and, he taught them not to turn from it – to the right or to the left. Joshua had to stay focused and not to compromise his faith and walk with the Lord. We as Christians also have to meditate on God’s word day and night in order to have spiritual success in our lives. The word meditate means to read with thoughtfulness, to ponder or linger in God’s word and to ask the Holy Spirit how we can apply it to all areas of our lives. Then God said -- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous. What made Joshua and the people of God strong and courageous was obeying God’s law. Many people think that prosperity and success comes from having power, influence, personal contacts. That view from the world’s standard, which leads to pride and disappoint, hatred, envy, jealousy and bitterness – which leads to destruction of life. As Christians we have to make a choice to follow God’s way to prosperity and spiritual success. To be wise is to chase God’s way to success. We must obey the rules for living, which are found in God’s law. For many people success is controlling others. For Joshua, success meant being controlled by God and His word. What about you? Will you let the world’s standards for success control you or God’s standards, principles and truth from His word control your life? Just as Joshua and all the people of the nation had to focus as they were in spiritual warfare – dealing with situations like crossing the Jordan River and fighting the Battle of Jericho, then the wall came down. As they conquered nations, they also had some failures. We too as Christians will have to face our Jordan Rivers and Jericho walls of life. Only when we obey God’s word and act on what we know that God has said can we be assured of success in carrying out His purpose so that we can walk in victory! When we fail, we are to repent of our sins and move on. By asking God to direct us and help us to conquer our challenges of life by the power of God and/or by meditating on God’s word day and night, will we have victory.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your promise in Joshua 1:9. Just as you told Joshua to be strong and of good courage and not to be afraid or dismayed – that You would be with him wherever he went, we can rest upon the same promise for our lives. Thank you Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
1 Comment
Dear Father, please help me to meditate more on Your written Word. My reading, studying, meditating & obeying the Bible all make me successful living out my Christian walk. Renew my mind as I meditate on You, the everlasting Word of Life to lead me all the way! Amen.