For the past several weeks, my husband and I, and our congregation have explored the first chapter of the book of Joshua. That may seem strange – several weeks in the first chapter! Well, what’s even more intriguing is that we’re just 9 verses into chapter 1! How about that!! There is so much life applicable instruction and encouragement in those first few verses that I keep revisiting it repeatedly.

So often we express a desire to accomplish or acquire something, but it does not happen because we use the excuse that we do not know how, or we do not have the wherewithal to make it happen. I know it is not easy to accept the face that we do resort to making excuses – but in fact we do. We can also be guilty of procrastination by adding to our excuses the old adage “it must not be the Lord’s will”. Yes, it is our responsibility and in our best interest to seek God concerning His will for our lives, but once we know that then we should consider that as His stamp of approval, and heed the green light to move forward.

Let’s consider the 8th verse of Joshua chapter 1. It is within this verse that God speaks to Joshua so clearly, that there is no room for procrastination or mistaken instruction.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;
but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,
that thou mayest observe to do according to all
that Is written therein: for then thou shalt make
thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have
good success.”

Joshua has just become Moses’ successor and I am certain he is looking at the appointment and assignment ahead with mixed emotions. I am sure that he is in awe of how directly God is speaking to him one on one, but yet I am sure some trepidation is present as well. However, what comes at the end of that verse is what literally makes me see my pursuit of life from a whole different perspective. The clause says, “for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”. I read that I don’t know how many times and each time it penetrated my thoughts even deeper. God did not tell Joshua if you keep the law (the Word), and meditate on it day and night, then I will make your way prosperous. He said if you do what I am instructing you, the way I am telling you to do it, then YOU will make your way prosperous and YOU will have good success. It is up to YOU!

God has told you where to look for direction for the path you should take. He admonished you to meditate on it at all times and do all that you have learned to do! Stop making excuses that you do not know how, or you do not have the help you need to do what is necessary. I liken this to following a recipe. The ingredients are there, the instructions as well as quantities (measurements) are spelled out step by step in the recipe. Now it is up to you to put it all together exactly as you see it written and expect the desired result! I have a box full of recipes, a folder full of more recipes, and there are countless recipes that I refer to on the internet. But until I actually read them and follow the instructions to the letter they will be nothing more than possibilities. Possibilities that others have accomplished, but I have yet to attempt. Mediocrity and sub-standard living was never God’s plan for us. God absolutely wants us to prosper and have good success!

Source: First Lady Denise