Instructions for Success

Scripture:  Joshua 1:8 - 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 is an example of a godly man who believed God’s Word and applied it to his life.  He knew the value of hearing God’s Word and meditating upon it.  He knew that neglecting the Word of the Lord would cause the consequence of disaster. We must be wise to take heed to God’s Word – to recite it in our heart and to keep the truth of His Word 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/succeed/have victory! To meditate on God’s Word is to roll it over and over in your mind like a cow chews its cud.    Our actions after reading/studying/meditating on the Word of God should be driven in our minds/hearts so that our lifestyle can be directed by God’s perspective rather than our emotions/feelings.  Psalms 37:4 says “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”.  To delight myself in the Lord means to exalt Him so highly that I pursue Him over and above any other person, thing, or action in my life – especially those things that would knock Him out of first place.

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 bless you with material wealth, or He may not. Material things will pass away.  Some people can’t handle having a lot of material things.  Paul has stated that we must learn to be content. Philippians 4:11 says “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”. Having real success has more to do with having peace, wisdom, joy, and victory than the accumulation of material things.  Success for a Christian is to fulfill our God given purpose.

What is important is to know the Word of God, to trust the Word of God, and to apply the Word in every circumstance of life – knowing that to do so will lead to success in the Christian life.  We should meditate on His Word, memorize His Word, and we should be sure to obey His Word in our daily lives.  Then we will certainly prosper and succeed in what we do – to His praise and glory.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for Your Word.  Help me to daily read the Bible, walk it out/apply it, and trust You for the fruit/outcome.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)