Waist Deep 2018 - February 9


Joshua 1: 8 “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (NIV)


We make decisions throughout each waking moment of the day, but first those decisions must be evaluated and compared with what God has instructed his people to do.*


Joshua was a military man, but after his promotion to the vacancy left by Moses, he was called upon to publicly address his peers and his superiors; he was handed the reins of government; and he was to fulfill his duties as the new leader while in the process of conquering the land. His on-the-job training helped prepare him for the position, and in the first nine verses of Joshua, chapter one, we find his orientation session with God.

In verse eight, God commands Joshua not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth. His mouth? Why doesn’t God order him not to let it depart from his heart or his head? How else does God’s Word get to our mouths if it’s not in our hearts and heads? Clearly, it is not enough to just think about it – we must talk about it. And, don’t just think and talk about it – do what it says.

Can we, then, expect prosperity and success if we follow these steps? The fact is, this promise was specifically addressed to Joshua. God does not promise wealth and success to all his children as a reward for our obedience, but the principle still holds meaning for us: Do not let the Word of God depart from your mouth – or your heart or your head. Let it become as much a part of you as your breath. Maybe you will be prosperous or maybe you won’t, but surely you will be successful . . . according to God’s definition of success!


Being successful is not proof of being saved.*


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