Joshua 1:8 NKJV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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.
Did you know the Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States? Did you know it's the largest library in the world in reference to shelf space and number of books, housing more than 129 million publications? The Library's primary mission is researching inquiries made by members of Congress. Although it is open to the public, only members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and other high-ranking governmental officials may check out books. Did you know that the Giant Bible of Mainz and The Gutenberg Bible are on prominent permanent display? Did you know that a large statue of Moses, along with a statue of the apostle Paul, overlooks the rotunda in the Library? Did you know that etched in the walls are the following scriptures:
● 'The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." (John 1:5)
● "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)
● "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:8)
● "The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)
Our founders placed a high value on the Bible to the point of etching scriptures on the walls of the Library of Congress to serve as timeless memorials for all generations. It was almost as if they wanted to remind themselves before they even began to examine the inquiries of Congress that their lives were defined by the guidance of God’s word.
Our Founding Fathers used the Bible as their number one source for direction. And we can too. In fact, Joshua 1:8 tells us that we can have good success in life by meditating God’s word. What does it mean to meditate God’s word? It simply means to keep it at the center of our thoughts. We do that by reading it out loud and asking ourselves how what we just read applies to our life. As we think on it, we will find ourselves adjusting our life to the word. The result is, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” It’s God’s desire for you to be successful.
Consider this strategy for success: the more we read our Bibles, the more we speak out loud what we're reading, the more we believe it, the more we do it, the more positive results we will experience in life. I challenge you to commit to reading the Bible daily. It doesn't have to be a long time. You will be amazed at how even the little you meditate will be life changing. Start by reading the gospel of John in the New Testament because no other book in the Bible describes how much Jesus loves you than this one.
Action steps
- Read - Re-read Joshua 1:8.
- Think - Think about what's going on in your life right now. What are the Scriptures that give the solutions to those situations?
- Write - Use some note cards and write down those Scriptures in a personalized way. For example, if you're in need of a financial breakthrough, you could say, "My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." [Philippians 4:19] Another example: for healing, "By the stripes of Jesus, I am healed." [Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24]
- Pray - Ask God to help you remember throughout the day to speak the Word of God over your life.
- Take away - Keep His word in your heart and in our mouth. Pull out your note cards throughout the day and say what God says. Victory is yours through Christ Jesus.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!”