Tag: prosperous

53.b. Joshua. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

 

 

Jos 1:7-8  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. 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.

 Deuteronomy 5:32    You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

 Proverbs 4:27      Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

 Deuteronomy 12:32    “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

 Proverbs 8:20      I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

 Deuteronomy 29:9   Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

 1 Kings 2:3    and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

  Proverbs 3:1    My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

 Psalms 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.

 Psalms 119:11   I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

 Psalms 119:15  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

 James 1:22   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

“There is sure to be a right hand, there is sure to be a left hand, and both are probably wrong. There will be extremes on either side. I believe that this is true in ten thousand things in ordinary life, and also true in spiritual things in very many respects.” (Spurgeon)

 Meditation, the familiarising ourselves with the ethics of Scripture, and with the hopes and powers that are treasured in Jesus Christ, so that our minds are made up upon a great many thorny questions as to what we ought to do, and that when crises or dangers come, as they have a knack of coming, very suddenly, and are sprung upon us unexpectedly, we shall be able, without much difficulty, or much time spent in perplexed searching, to fall back upon the principles that decide our conduct-that is essential to all successful and victorious Christian life. (MacLaren)

The Word of God read with a seeking and desire to know more and more of His Holiness, meditated upon, and thereby expressed in what we think, say, and do, requires our hearts and minds to have an intentional choice of focus – To Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ. There is so much busyness in life to pull us away from reading and meditating on God’s Word. We turn to the left and right many times a day because we have lost focus on our purpose to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. We follow paths left and right because the Word of God is void in our hearts and minds. We turn left and right because we have become lukewarm. We turn left and right because we lack discernment between that which is godly and holy and that which is worldly and fleshly. We turn left and right because we follow after those who lead us down wrong paths with their crafty words. We turn left and right because ……….. There are as many reasons as there are people. 

What if the opposite were true

We stay on the narrow path because it honors and glorifies our Savior. We stay on the narrow path because we find hope and strength in God’s Word. We stay on the narrow path because of our love for God and His Word. We stay on the narrow path because we delight in His precepts and commandments. We stay on the narrow path because we hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit leading us and giving us discernment. We stay on the narrow path because our eyes have focused and fixed on Jesus Christ. We stay on the narrow path because we find peace, hope, love, joy, mercy, grace, strength, and rest.

There is much out there that will entice you and consume your time and try to pull you left or right of the narrow path of obedience and reliance on Jesus Christ. We choose to allow this to happen or not. It is sometimes an intentional choice where we are nudged by the Holy Spirit to read and study and think about God’s Word, and we choose to say no. Other times it is just because our lives have become so busy and consumed with other stuff it is just a by-product of neglect and complacency towards God’s Word.  Either way, it is an intentional choice to read, study, and meditate upon God’s Word or not.

53.a. Joshua 1:1-8

 

 

Jos 1:1-8  After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 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. 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.

God made a covenant with Abraham, which was passed on to Isaac, which passed on to Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons and Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. Joseph was blessed by God and became very promenade and important in Egypt. A famine in the land of Jacob orchestrated a move of the family to Egypt where the family found favor and prosperity.  Over time they went from prominence to slaves and remained in this status for 400 years. 

God heard their cries and brought forth Moses who after 40 years of age fled Egypt and for another 40 years remind away. At 80 years of age, he was called to lead his people out of slavery. God performed signs and wonders that set the Israelites free from the bondage of the Egyptians. 

In the wilderness, God made His covenant with Israel, the Law, the system of sacrifice, and the choice of blessing or cursing for Israel. There were many signs and wonders performed by God to display His awesome power, unlimited might and all-knowing unlimited abilities. His Holiness was demonstrated as well as His justice, grace, mercy, and love. 

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God spoke to Joshua and initiated the move from the wilderness to the promised land. 

The Land of Promise

The confidence of God’s power

The confidence of God’s promise (I will never leave you or forsake you)

The encouragement – Be strong and courageous 

Meditate on the Book of the Law

Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth

Be careful to follow the Book of the Law – All of it

I will make you prosperous and you will have success

And so we start the journey of the Israelites into the promised land.

37.e. ” I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds”

 

 

Genesis 24:62  Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 Joshua 1:8    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.

 Psalms 1:2     but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

 Psalms 77:11-12    I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

 Psalms 104:34   May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

 Psalms 119:15     I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

 Psalms 139:17    How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

 Psalms 143:5  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

To meditate;  think, pray, remember, reflect, weigh, ponder, consider, deliberate, be in a thoughtful state – think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence – to think deeply or carefully about (something).  Isaac went out into the field away from what might distract him to meditate, on what we are not told. Was it about the loss of his mother, the servants mission for a wife for him, God’s supplying a sacrifice, what his father Abraham had told him about God and God’s promises, God’s creation, etc….. we do not know. He went to the field to meditate away from that which should distract him. There were no city lights dimming the ability to see the stars, sounds of cars and trucks on nearby roads, no city night sounds – he set himself in a place without distraction so he could meditate.  

We, very seldom, can get away from distractions. Children, spouse, lights, noise, phones, computers, TV, radio, neighbors, etc….. Most of the time our only time to meditate is when our head hits the pillow and we soon fall fast asleep. If we are honest many times our meditation is about worry, fear, anger, pride, greed, lust, confusion, projects, timelines, family, finances, sickness, etc…. Things of this world that overwhelm, consume, and distract us. Why is this? Why do we find it almost impossible to meditate on the things of God? Why is this concept so hard to grasp? It is the busyness of life and it consumes our hearts and minds. It distracts us from the things of God. Test me on this. See if this is not true. Shut off your computer, phone, or tablet, and for the next 10 minutes meditating on the things of God and His Word. 

Where did your mind want to wander too? Were there thoughts other than the things of God and His Word grabbing your attention? It is not impossible, it just takes training. To start;

  1. Try praising God and worshiping His greatness. 
  2. Try to picture His leading throughout the day.
  3. Give thanks for who He is, what He has given, and what He has promised.
  4. Thank Him for His Word
  5. Think about His Word
  6. Confess and repent
  7. Place your burdens in His hands
  8. Seek His discernment for your tomorrow
  9. Ask Him to lead you in all you say, think, and do so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified

It is not so much about finding time, but rather making time for meditation on God and things of God.  I am not talking about a minute here or there throughout the day (though this should happen).  I am talking about time set aside and purposed for meditation on God and things of God. Whatever is prioritized will find the time.  Do me this favor. For one week (7 days straight) prioritize 10 minutes for meditating on God and things of God.  Do not do this in bed. Go to the basement, garage, bathroom, back deck, wherever, and set your mind to this.  I am more than confident that after 7 days you will find value, benefit, comfort, joy, faith, hope, and peace growing more and more each day.  It will be a time of refuge and refreshing for your soul.

66. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:5  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 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. 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Exodus 3:12     He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you:

Deuteronomy 31:8     It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Matthew 28:20     teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 18:9-10     And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

2 Timothy 4:17     But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Has life ever pounced on you to the point where you felt lost, out of control, overwhelmed, worried, and possibly even afraid?  Scripture seems to tell us to expect things to happen but do not fear when they do.  “Do not fear or be dismayed”.  “Do not be afraid”.  “Do not be frightened”.  His word tells us that when we face, whatever it is, we are to be strong and courageous and know that God is with us.  Note it does not say to go in our own power and strength but to go in the power and might of God.  To go in His power and might mean by faith, trust, reliance, hope, and obedience.

Many times our troubles seem to get the best of us because, I assume, we doubt God is able, willing, or wanting to lead us out.  I wonder why we get this way when it says “for I am with you always to the end of the age”, “God is with you wherever you go”, “He will not leave you or forsake you”. 

Trust, reliance, faith, hope, and obedience all grow when they are tested.  Sometimes this testing seems more than we can bear or longer than we can endure and for sure that is true if we go it alone.  Yet with God, all things are possible and all trials and troubles can be overcome in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds

Genesis 24:63   And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.

Joshua 1:8  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.

Psalms 1:2  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 77:11-12  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalms 104:34  May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalms 119:15  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalms 139:17-18  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalms 143:5-6  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

I was looking at things I have subscribed to for awhile and then I find that they are of no longer an interest.  I unsubscribe and this is a natural consequence of no longer having time or interest.  

This got me to thinking about God and His word, His plan, His purpose.

Are there times when I “unsubscribe” to His word, His leading, His whispers, His angels, His direction, His power, His grace, His discipline, His mercy, His plans, His help, His refuge, His message, His joy, His hope, His safety, His encouragement, His strength, or His love?????  Do I see the affects of “unsubscribing”?

Busyness has a way of eroding away commitment (subscribing).  There never seems to be enough time to keep God first and be able to stay on top of all the busyness.

We need to be mindful of things in our busy lives that take over being intentionally subscribed to God.    

When it comes to “subscribing” commitment to God there is an eternal consequence of “unsubscribing” this commitment.  The erosion of commitment is slow at first and recognized but before long it slips away and what we are changing into, or what we are lacking is blocked by the cares of this world and the busyness of the day.  Our lives are soon changed.

Change comes in the the form of pride, self help, self satisfaction, wanting more, needing more, having more and never being satisfied, lack of joy, hope, courage, strength, peace, and rest.  The problem is that we become to blind to see God leading us and to deaf to hear God speaking to us.   We end up on a path void of knowing or understanding and lose purpose in life.

Unsubscribing from God never ends well.  Stay in His word. Meditate on it always.  Subscribe to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey God.

Be Strong and Courageous

“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.”

Zechariah 8:9  Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Joshua 1:6    Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

1 Chronicles 22:13    Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed

1 Chronicles 28:20    Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Isaiah 35:4    Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Haggai 2:4   Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,  according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

Ephesians 6:10    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Being strong in the Lord requires us to have faith.  To not have Fear requires us to have faith. To be courageous requires us to have faith. Doing what the Lord would have us do requires us to rely in, cling to and trust in Him.  No matter what our circumstance is God is bigger.  No matter how big the problem is God is bigger.  No matter how tough the situation is God is mightier.  Our God reigns.  Think about what is in this verse from Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD,