Meditating on God’s Word Day and Night

“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
- Joshua 1:8-9 CSB

Joshua 1:8 is one of the verses I have memorized.  It is an encouragement to me.  I do know that when it talks about the ‘book of instruction’, it is referring to the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible.  Still, the words here can apply to all of the Bible.  God’s words are faithful and true.  Though they may not have been written to us specifically, these words are written for us. 

Verse 8 says, ‘this book of instruction must not depart from your mouth’.  This word is something we speak, tell to ourselves and to others.  The way we are able to do this is by meditating on it.  One of my favorite definitions of meditation is that we take the word and make it our mental chewing gum. 

For us to have the word of God in our conversation, we have to first but it in our mind.  And the promise of this passage is when we meditate on God’s word and speak God’s word then we will prosper and succeed at what we do.  Remember that is success by God’s standard not mankind’s standard. 

Let’s renew ourselves to meditate on God’s word day and night.  Then speak this word to ourselves and each other honor God as we faithfully walk with, follow Jesus and help others to do the same. 

Grace and Peace
Brian Frank