Joshua 1:8 – THIS BOOK
This is probably the best-known verse in the whole book. Please read it with me.
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.
THIS BOOK – This book of the law
Law can be the Ten Commandments
Law can be the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.
Law can be the whole Bible, which is how we would understand it today.
What do we know about this book?
- It is the inspired Word of God. – 2Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
- It is profitable. – 2 Timothy 3:16
- It is educational. – Romans 15:4
- It is powerful – Hebrews 4:12
- It is life-changing. – 1 Peter 1:23
- It is our guide. – Psalm 119:105
- It is purifying. – Psalm 119:11
- It is truth. – John 17:17
This Book is the Way to Belief
This Book is the way to life.
This Book is the way to action.
This Book is the way to reality.
THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH – shall not depart out of thy mouth;
As Christians, we should talk about the Word of God.
Why should we talk about God’s Word?
Ø Because it is God’s Word. There is no subject more valuable to talk about than the inspired Word of God.
Ø Because talking about God’s Word might help or encourage another believer. Hebrews 3:12-13
Ø Because talking about God’s word might help, encourage, and/or educate me!
Ø Because talking about God’s Word accomplishes God’s purposes.
THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND – but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,
Let me tell you one thing. You can’t have the Word of God on your lips unless it is in your mind and heart. You can’t give out what isn’t inside.
Meditation is the way we digest the Word of God.
We read, or we think about a memorized portion of Scripture.
After a while we think on It some more, striving to understand its meaning, and how it applies to my life.
When I meditate on God’s Word, I might talk about it to the Lord.
I strive to think of what it means in my life.
I think of what I must do to practice the Scripture. Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:15-16, Jeremiah 15:16
If the Word of God is going to be the joy and rejoicing of your heart you need to memorize it.
Don’t say, “I can’t”
Get yourself some “3” by “5” cards.
Write the reference on one side, the verse on the other.
Go over and over the verse until you know it.
Review the verses you have learned continually.
Memorizing and meditation on the Scriptures takes work.
But if you want to know God in an intimate way, you need to memorize and meditate on the Word of God.
You will find the effort to be worthwhile.
THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES – that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:
God wants obedience from His children, just as you expect or expected obedience from your children.
I am sure that John was echoing the Words of God when He said in 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
You see, the more the Word of God is in my mind and on my lips the more likely I am to observe my behavior and make sure that it conforms to the Word of God. I am more likely to obey it!
Many times you may not obey the Word of God because you are ignorant. It is not a sin to be ignorant. It is a sin to remain ignorant. 2 Peter 3:18
And remember that God is not satisfied that we just hear the Word, or even memorize the Word and meditate on it. God is satisfied when we obey the Word of God. James 1:22
If you hear the Word of God and not obey it, you are fooling yourself into thinking that you are right with God when you are not.
Ezra the Scribe was a great leader among the Jews.
Ezra 7:10 tells us the secret to His success.
May we be those that seek the Word, obey the Word and teach the Word every chance that we get.
Make sure that you eyes observe the Word with the intent of obedience! 1 Samuel 15:22-23
THIS BOOK AND THIS LIFE – for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
What is the value of talking, memorizing, meditating, and obeying the Word of God in this life?
There are two promises here for those who do these things.
The first promise is for prosperity.
No, this is not necessarily financial prosperity. It is prosperity in the Christian life.
As I memorize, meditate, speak of, and do God’s Word, I will be prosperous.
My prayer life will improve.
There will be less anxiety in my life.
There will be victory over sin.
There will be future reward. 2 Corinthians 5:10
There will be an unleashing of the power of the Spirit of God in my life.
Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18-19 would indicate that being filled with God’s Spirit and being filled with God’s Word are parallel.
The second promise for those who speak of God’s Word, meditate on it, and obey it is for good success.
This carries the idea of wisdom.
We will still have problems, but we will have God’s wisdom to help us handle these problems.
THIS BOOK – This book of the law
THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH – shall not depart out of thy mouth;
THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND – but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,
THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES – that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:
THIS BOOK AND THIS LIFE – for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.