In the book of Joshua, Joshua shared how the Lord told him, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go”, and in chapter one and verse eight of his book the Lord told Joshua, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth” where we read,
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
The verse reads, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth;” Joshua began with the words, “this book of the law” which means “this missive, writing and document pertaining to direction, instruction and codes” “shall not depart” or “will in no way or manner be removed or leave” “out of your mouth” which means “from your, Joshua’s, orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking”. Jehovah God told Joshua that His commandments were in no way to be removed from his speaking.
The verse goes on to say, “but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein:” Joshua continued with the words, “but you shall meditate therein” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, Joshua, are to muse, groan and ponder within the law of God” “day and night” which means “within the daytime and nighttime”, “that you may observe to do” or “so you, Joshua, might keep, guard, give heed to, watch over and protect” “according to all” which means “in keeping with each, the whole and every part” “that is written therein” or “that is inscribed, engraved and within the law of God”. Jehovah God further told Joshua that he should muse and ponder His commandments in the daytime and nighttime so he would keep and obey everything that is inscribed within His “law”.
Finally the verse says, “for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” Joshua concluded this verse with the words, “for then you shall make your way prosperous” which means “because, since and on account that you, Joshua, will progress, make profitable and advance your, Joshua’s, traveled road and path ”, “and then you shall have good success” or “and at that time you, Joshua, will possess pleasant and agreeable insight, understanding and comprehension”. Jehovah God told Joshua that he would cause his journey to advance and become profitable which would cause him to have pleasant and agreeable insight and understanding.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Jehovah God continued to encourage and instruct Joshua who was to become the new leader of Israel. A fundamental part of his leadership was to the study and meditate upon God’s commandments, and he was to make them part of his life in the daytime and nighttime. By doing so, Joshua would not only keep God’s law, but also cause his own life to be profitable and filled with pleasant understanding. God wants all of us to observe these principles, and because He loves us, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, our sins will be forgiven, we will be granted everlasting life and be equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to keep God’s law so we live in a “prosperous” and “successful” manner before His eyes. (See John 16:13)
Next time we see how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment