“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” – Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
With Moses’ death, God had chosen Joshua to become Israel’s leader and to finish the last leg of their arduous 40-year journey from Egypt into the Promised Land. Although he was a seasoned military leader, it was the faithful example of his total submission to God that had prepared him for the tremendous task that awaited.
And what a task it was! How does one man lead 2 million people into a strange new land and conquer it? He can’t. Not without God’s help, that is. But Joshua had the other qualifications needed. He had been by Moses’ side from the very beginning. He was there to witness the plagues God had sent upon Egypt that ultimately led to his peoples’ exodus, and He and Caleb formed the two most courageous scouts of the 12 that would go into Canaan ahead of all the others so they could recon and plan their conquest of the Promised Land.
Upon Moses’ death, God spoke to Joshua. “Be strong and courageous,” God tells him in verse 7. And then in verse 8, God gives him a command: “Study this Book of Instruction continually, meditating on it day and night, so that you will obey everything written in it and prosper in all you do.”
That Book was the Book of the Law that God had spoken to his successor, Moses, which would be transcribed and put into faithful practice. Other authors would continue writing and transcribing long after Moses, giving us the remaining 61 Book detailing God’s Holy Word. Today we lovingly refer to this collection of writings as the Bible.
God speaks to each of us today in many ways, but none more clearly than through His Holy Word. He uses the Bible to instruct us, to confront us, to convict us, and to correct us. His Word also encourages and inspires us. As we read His promises, His word builds our confidence; constantly reminding us that He is just, kind, and forgiving. But above everything else, God’s Word welcomes us with open arms and reveals His love for us.
As Christ followers, one of God’s instructions to us is to worship Him through Studying His Book of Instruction, His Holy Word. He encourages us to do this on a daily basis, so that we can continue to grow in our understanding of who He is and who we are without His love and guidance.
Joshua’s task was greater than himself, but it wasn’t greater than God. God continued to equip Joshua through his reading and meditating on the Law.
Good readers make good leaders. Make time each day to read your Bible so that God can lead your life from slavery to freedom, just as He did for Joshua and his people.
Former Blackout Artist 