Today’s meditation is based on Joshua 1:6-7, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (ESV)
Joshua was chosen to be the leader over the people of Israel, and the above were the words of God to Joshua. The first encouragement Joshua received from God was that he should be strong and courageous. God told Joshua that he would have success in all that he did, and for that to happen he had to be careful to obey all the law that Moses had commanded them to keep. When God gave Joshua the responsibility to lead the Israelites, the one thing that He gave to Joshua was His word. We see that God through His word bestowed authority on Joshua, gave him courage, and also assured him of success, if he would be faithful to obey God’s word.
Often we have so many expectations from God. We want God to take care of our needs, to change all our difficult situations, give us good health, and bless our children. The word of God is above all of this, but sadly, we forget to take God’s word seriously, and treat it with contempt. God created Adam, and gave him the authority to rule over all of God’s creation, and this was given to Adam by the word of God. However, we have not understood the power of God’s word, and have not given the word the due importance in our lives, and hence we face failure in many areas of our lives. God’s word does not change, and if we will pay attention to His word, living in obedience to His word, we will be victorious in all we do. Over time many of us have neglected the word of God, and have not given the reverence we are supposed to give. Nonetheless, if we repent, and turn back to God’s word we will experience success in all that we do.
The blessing for one who delights in God’s word
David says in Psalm 1:2-3, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (ESV)
The word of God calls a man blessed who delights in the law of the Lord, and meditates on it day and night. He will also be like a tree that is planted by streams of water which will receive all of the nutrients that it needs for it to grow and flourish. Moreover, it not only receives, it also produces fruit, and thereby fulfills the purpose for its existence. For such a person who makes God’s word his greatest joy, everything he does will surely prosper.
There are many who are not aware of God’s purpose for their lives, and are living any way they want to. Remember that every one of us was created for a specific purpose, and if we want to know that purpose and fulfill it, we can discover it only from the word of God. Isn’t is a blessed and sweet thought to know that all that we do will prosper, but for that to happen, we have to delight in the word of God, and live by it. I have heard many say that they cannot understand the bible when they read it. My counsel to such is please continue to read the word of God even if you don’t understand, and you will surely over a period of time see tremendous changes in your lives. Many have stopped reading the word only because they cannot understand what they are reading.
Let me give you a wonderful example from the bible.
The Ethiopian who treasured God’s word
We read in Acts 8:27-28, “And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.(ESV)
Here was a man who was the treasurer in a palace, in-charge of all the treasures of Candace, Queen of Ethiopians. He was a man in a highly responsible position with a hectic schedule. In spite of this he found time to visit the temple at Jerusalem, and on his way back he was reading the scroll of Prophet Isaiah. In those days the bible was not freely available as it is today, and in order to possess a portion of scripture, the Ethiopian must have taken extra effort to get hold of the same. This clearly indicates that the Ethiopian valued the scriptures greatly. Though the Ethiopian was the overseer of all the treasures in the palace, he perceived that the scripture that was in his hand was of far greater value. Though he was travelling in a chariot, he was reading the scripture that was in his hand.
There are many who are ashamed to carry the bible in their hand. Always carry the bible with you, and every time you have time to spare read the word, instead of wasting time with your mobile phones. This is the living word of God, so keep on reading even if you don’t understand all of it, and it due time you will receive wonderful insights from the same.
We read in Acts 8:29-31, “And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” (ESV)
The Spirit of God prompted Philip to join this Ethiopian Eunuch as he rode in his chariot. Philip ran to join this man, and when he realized that he was reading the scriptures, he asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he read. Notice how the Ethiopian was honest to confess that he did not understand. No one knew that the Ethiopian was reading the scriptures, but God was observing his sincerity. This Ethiopian was reading the scriptures aloud so that Philip could hear what he was reading.
When Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading, he was quick to respond that he could not understand unless someone taught or interpreted the scriptures to him. The Ethiopian was such a humble man who readily acknowledged to Philip, a simple man that he was unable to understand the scripture that he read.
If you are earnest to read God’s word as did the Ethiopian, at the appointed time God will send the right person, who can expound the word to you. There is a special blessing in reading and meditating on the word of God, and only those who do so will be able to experience the same. It is actually a good practice to read the word of God aloud, and remember that they are no ordinary words of men, but the living words of God. The word of God assures us that God’s word will accomplish the purpose for which His word is being sent, and will never return back to Him empty. As you keep on reading the word, the Spirit of God will work inside of you to bring about phenomenal changes from within. Keep reading God’s word prayerfully even when you can’t understand all of it, and you will surely receive success from the Lord.
Open our eyes Lord
Here’s what the Psalmist says in Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (ESV)
This is something we can do before we read the bible. You may be wondering that since we are reading the bible with our eyes open, ‘What does it mean to ask God to open our eyes?’ We see that David prayed this way that God would open His eyes so that he can behold the wondrous things out of God’s law.
Let me explain this with an example. We live in a hill station called Ooty, and one of the most sought after places here is the botanical garden which is a great tourist attraction. A lay person may look at the trees, plants, flowers and be filled with joy to behold God’s creation. However, if there was a botanist who was to visit this garden, they would see things from a different perspective, and they would be filled with wonder at every plant and flower in that garden. Their specialization in that field has opened their eyes to perceive things that a lay person cannot comprehend, as the person does not possess knowledge about the same. So also we should ask God that He should open our eyes every time we read the bible, so that we can understand the wondrous truths from His word.
Let me share an incident from the bible which explains this point most brilliantly.
What Elisha’s servant saw!
We read in 2 Kings 6:15, When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (ESV)
The king of Aram had sent his troops to capture the prophet Elisha and these men surrounded that city. It was Elisha’s servant who saw this first as soon as he woke up. He was so astounded by the sight that the word that came out of his mouth was ‘Alas my master.’
Oftentimes when we are faced with hardships and challenges, we too react the exact same way as Elisha’s servant did, and we end up grumbling.
What Elisha saw!
This is what Elisha did as we read in 2 Kings 6:17, Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (ESV)
This is interesting as Elisha’s servant saw the armies, and lamented because he knew that they were surrounded on all sides, but Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes should be opened. God heard Elisha’s prayer, and the servant’s eyes were opened, and now he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire that stood all around protecting the prophet. Both of them were faced with the same problem, but Elisha saw that God’s protection surrounded him, and stood as a wall between them and the Aramean army. However, Elisha’s servant could only perceive the problem that surrounded them.
As children of God, how do we encounter the challenges that comes our way? Do we only see the problems and difficulties or do we see the protective hand of God that stands between us and our troubles? One can comprehend this protection of God only when we value God’s word, spend time reading it, and live in obedience to it.
David saw what others couldn’t see
When Goliath the Philistine warrior challenged the army of Israel, all of the trained men including King Saul were in fear and dread of him. However, when David got there, though he was an ordinary shepherd boy, he was not perturbed by problem, but was able to see that the Almighty God who was over all. No wonder then that David said to Goliath with courage, in 1 Samuel 17:45, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (ESV) The reason was that David had this amazing relationship with God.
If you want to grow in faith, and have the eyes of your heart enlightened, you will have to know who God is, and believe on the promises of God as given in His word. Nothing else will help you overcome the trials that come along your way. The word of God reminds us that it is our faith that triumphs over this world, and this faith comes by hearing, and only by hearing the word of God. Take the word of God, treat it like a treasure, pray, ask God to open your eyes every time you read the word, ask God to speak to you, and you will understand that God’s word truly gives life. Let us look at every problem that comes as way with those eyes of faith, and through the word of God. Certainly we will be able to experience victory in every area of our lives.
How do we handle our problems?
Here are some of the issues that many face, problem of debt, issues at work, worries pertaining to your children or matters pertaining to your health. How we handle these issues will determine whether we end up with failure or success. Generally many people are challenged with the above mentioned issues, but anyone who has given importance to God’s word, and tackles these problems with the same will surely be victorious.
When there is any kind of sickness or even symptoms of illness, many people are filled with fear. Especially during these days, with so many changes, there may be some discomfort or symptoms of sickness many of us experience. As soon as this happens many get anxious and fearful. In these past two years there were those who died because of the pandemic, but do you know that there were more people who died because fear gripped their hearts.
Here’s an assurance from God’s word when we are sick from Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (ESV) and Psalm 91:10, “no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.” (NLT)
We are being bombarded by so many messages that create turmoil, but let us set them aside, and look to God and His word for our counsel.
For those who are discouraged because your children are disobedient or they are not taking their studies seriously, and are therefore worried about their future, this is God’s word to you. The word of God reminds us that our children will be taught by God, and great will be their peace. When you perceive all your problems based on God’s word, assurance sets in, and fear will disappear from your hearts. There are some parents who when unable to handle their children, take up the matter to everyone they know not realizing that this will never bring a solution to their problems. Instead, speak God’s word, and see all of your difficulties through God’s word. You will certainly find a speedy solution, and will overcome these hardships.
When pressed with debts that you are unable to clear here’s a word from God that will encourage you from
Psalm 128:1-2, “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” (ESV)
The Lord gives us the promise that those who fear the Lord, and walk in His ways will be blessed. God will also bless the labor of their hands. God will change your situation so you will be one who lends, and does not need to borrow. As long as we live in this world circumstances will change, emotions will change, and people will change, but God and His word will never change. Our success or failure in life will depend on whom we put our faith in. Turn to God, and His word so that you overcome all the challenges that comes your way.
For those who have no child, and are anxious here’s a word of God that will strengthen you as found in
Psalm 113:9, “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!”(ESV)
In many families I have observed that they have one bible common for the entire family. May I encourage you to have your own personal bible, read it with prayer, and do this systematically. Every day ask God for His word to face whatever challenges will come your way. These are last days, and many have turned aside from God’s word. More time is spent on worldly things, and information that is freely shared, and the time spent with God, and His word has become minimal. This is also one of the reasons why many are unable to be victorious in their lives. Like Joshua, if you will turn to the Lord and His word, God will grant you success in all of your endeavors.
Hold on to God’s word, meditate on it, let God’s word dwell in your heart, and remember that every trial and difficulty can be overcome when we handle the same with God and His word in our lives. This is God’s word to us from Isaiah 66:2, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (ESV) These are days when what the word of God teaches, and the world dictates to us are in total contradiction. Nonetheless, success or failure is ours, depending on who we choose to obey.
Joseph’s life from failure to success
Talking about success and failure don’t look at this from a temporal perspective. Let me conclude with this example from the bible. Joseph had dreams that God would honor and elevate him. However, from the day that Joseph received this word from God, until the day it became a reality, so many things happened that were contradictory to this promise. He was thrown into a pit, sold as a slave, falsely charged and all of this looked like a path of defeat for Joseph. At the end we know that all of this led to Joseph receiving the greatest honor from the Lord.
Let us turn to the Lord, and ask for His help to hold on firmly to His word. We must confess to God if we have neglected His word or have been spending very little time with God’s word. As we turn back to the Lord and His word, surely He will grant us success in all areas of our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
