There are so many books and posts written about success – how to define, find, achieve, hold, and enjoy it. So many ways to view success can make it difficult to know the truth about success.
One thing remains true – God desires for His people to be successful so perhaps He is the One to best help us understand the concept more fully.
Moses has passed away. Joshua is going to step into shoes which are mighty big and difficult to fill. God knows Joshua is the one to lead His people into the promiseland but is fully aware Joshua has hesitations. God Himself gives Joshua instructions for success:
- Know what God has spoken. “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6). It will take courage to live out our purposes.
- Obey God’s Word. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7). Obey His Word with deviation.
- Speak God’s Word. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8). God desired for His Word to be the very words which Joshua would speak, both to himself and to the people, every day.
God commanded Joshua to think on, speak out and live by God’s Word. Meditation means repeating the precepts of Scripture, talking about them while we ponder how to best apply those very precepts effectively to our lives.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you; O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14, NLT)
May we know, obey, and speak God’s Word.
Today I am joining with … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Life Giving and Intentional Tuesday .
This is a beautiful and true post, Joanne! What a great job of summing it all up in 3 steps. To know, obey, and speak God’s Word! Speaking it is so important because we influence our own thoughts and the thoughts of others!
The words we speak even to ourselves influence the very way in which we live and react to the daily situations. I want to respond with words of life and hope. To do so, they must be His Words. May you have a great Tuesday, Betsy!
Those 3 simple steps are actually powerful! Thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts with us every single day! I mentioned about you on my blog today 😀
Thank you, Helen. Sometimes when I write it in a few simple steps it makes the goal more attainable for me. Blessings, sweet friend!
There is such strength in God’s Word. It always holds true, it always guides, and it’s always available. Yes, may we always know, obey, and speak God’s word. You’re taking encouragement back to its roots today, Joanne. Thank you!
Kristi, your words meant much today. May we take ourselves back to the roots & be certain what is hidden in our hearts. It is then new growth can spurt forth.
What a beautiful reminder, Joanne, that the words we speak even to ourselves need to be God’s Words. Our words are filled with power, even those only we hear. I echo your prayer: “May we know, obey, and speak God’s Word.”
Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Sometimes I find I speak words to myself which I would never speak to anyone else. May we be mindful of our thoughts & be certain we fill our minds with His truth, His Word. It was good to join you all yesterday.
Be sure it is God speaking and if you are not sure – then check it out in the Word. When you know it is God, then use his Word and speak out. Words are important and have the power of life (or death.) Your thoughts are so appreciated here at Tell me a Story.
Yes, Hazel, may His Word always be our plumb line! A most critical point for sure.
Joanne, I so love that you are a Word and truth girl! It’s so important for us to know God’s word so that we can obey it and speak it. Thanks for the encouragement to be in His word so that I will know Him better.
Holly, as I read your comment what hit me is this – – may we not only know His Word but may His Word thrill our hearts, coming alive to our hearts & minds each time we open it. I so appreciate your comment! Have a great Wednesday!
I think there is so much power in speaking the Word of God aloud. It doesn’t come naturally, but it is powerful when we do it. Thank you for reminding me to do this. I love your teaching today! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Thank you so much, Kelly. Your comment means much to me. You are right. Speaking God’s Word aloud does not come naturally and the enemy knows this to be true. May we fight the urge to remain silent so that His power is unleashed in our lives.
Joshua was definitely and important helper, worker, leader from the point when he was dropped into Moses’ situation until Joshua went to heaven. He had done a lot of stuff for a lot of people. And the people, in some instances, truly had turned away from our Lord and the situation was heart-filled to say the least. I’ve always felt blessed by his strong works and his love to the Lord. Thanks for sharing.
Joanne, you are right. It took a lot for Joshua to be strong & courageous. And it will for us as well. But much the way Joshua overcame, we can also be strong & courageous in the might of our Lord. So glad you stopped to share!
God desires for his people to be successful. I love that, Joanne! I also love what you said about speaking God’s Word. I am a firm believer is praying Scripture, and praying it aloud when it comes to spiritual warfare. Glad to be your neighbor in the #RaRaLinkup!
Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves how God desires to bring success to each of us. His ways are surely not our ways 🙂 Grateful you stopped here. Blessings!