Joshua 1:8 (ESV) — This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Discipline is treated like a bad word in our culture today. It is not. Discipline is something that we need. We tend to be undisciplined in our lives as a natural inclination. We satisfy our fleshly desires more frequently than we tell them no. This is one of the reasons why Americans are predominantly overweight, rarely fast, and don’t exercise. It is simply easier not to.

Discipline is something that is vital in the Christian life. We are called to exercise spiritual disciplines in our lives. This fosters growth and maturity. Our passage today highlights one of those important disciplines. God speaks to Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

The Book of the Law is Scripture. God’s Word is commanded to not depart from his mouth. He is to speak God’s Word as the leader of the people. He is also to meditate on it day and night. It needs to be close in his thoughts and reflections. It needs to saturate his mind, his heart, and be deep in his bones. The reason for this mediation is so he can be careful to do according to all that is written in it. Obedience to God’s Word will make him prosperous and successful. 

This isn’t health, wealth, and prosperity teaching. This is wisdom. The person who meditates on the Word of God will be a more successful person. They will possess wisdom for life. They will succeed in relationships. The spiritual discipline of reading and meditating on the Word of God is vital for the Christian. Make time each day. Don’t neglect it. And don’t treat the Bible as a book you have to read, but one that you get to read. It is a gift and treasure to us from God.

Reflection & Journal:

- What does it mean to meditate on the Word day and night?

- Why is this mediation of the Word beneficial to the life of the one doing it?

- How can we as individuals prioritize time in the Word each day? What is your greatest obstacle in doing this?

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