Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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.
Light for the Day
God’s Word is described as a lamp which lights our path in life
(Psalm 119:105). I sometimes get up while it’s still dark and first
pray, then read my Bible. Think of the Word of God as a night light that
allows us to see in a darkened world. It sheds light for my feet so
that I don’t stumble. If there is no light, then my shinbone will surely
find the corner of the table. I need the light of God’s Word each and
every day. Whether I feel like reading it or not isn’t the point. I know
I need it, so I make it a priority. No prayer, no coffee…no Bible, no
breakfast–that is my schedule. Like the Lord told Joshua, we must
meditate on the Word day and night. To meditate on it means to read it,
then reflect on it, then dwell on it, then contemplate on it and let it
soak in. God says if we are careful to do that, then we’ll be successful
and prosperous in our day and our life (Joshua 1:8).
Seeking God in His Word
I just had someone ask me whether or not something was the will of
God, but they will never know God’s hidden will until they obey His
revealed will, as mentioned in Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 3:17, and even
Isaiah 53:10 where it was the will of the Father to crush His Son on our
behalf. If you are not making God’s Word your priority, then you are
saying that your own life is your priority. His will is that we are
conformed to the image of God and to His will (Eph. 1:11). Isn’t that
what you want? If you make God’s Word your priority, you will clearly
see that God’s will is to avoid sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3-5) and
to give thanks to God for everything (1 Thess. 5:18) because only those
who do God’s will abide forever (1 John 2:17). My point is that if you
make God’s Word your priority, you’ll find His will, at least those
things He has revealed to us and our children (Deut. 19:29).
Have No Time? Then Make Time
Some tell me that they are going through great difficulties and can’t
seem to find a solution to their problems. I then ask them how much
time they spend in prayer and in the Word of God. Often these two are
the pulse of the life of the believer. If there’s a low pulse in prayer
and Bible reading, then the Christian is on life support. They say they
don’t have time, so I suggested keeping a journal for one day and
writing down everything they do on that day. They came back to me and
admitted that they spent 2-1/2 hours watching TV, two hours on the
Internet and other things, which left little or no time for prayer or
Bible study. I said that by this, you are telling God that He is not as
important as your own pleasure. If you have no time, then make time;
don’t just find some extra time. Honor God by giving Him the first
portion of your day, and you’ll be surprised by how much better your day
goes. I battle this, too, so I am not judging anyone because I meet my
own worst enemy every day in the mirror. Make God your first priority,
and He’ll make you His.
A Closing Prayer
Oh Father God, I am not living in obedience when I seek my own
pleasures first and choose the world over you. Please forgive me when I
don’t put You first, and putting You first means putting Your Word first
in my day. So please help me in this weak area of my life, and in
Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen
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