Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;
meditate on it day and night, so that you may
be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
The Book of the Law, often referred to as the Book of the Law of Moses (Joshua 8:31), is how God intended to guide the children of Israel. Following Moses’ death, God directed Joshua to lead
the Israelites to the land that he once promised Moses. God instructed Joshua to continually study the Book of Instruction and obey it—to meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1). God’s message to Joshua and the people of Israel was clear: they were to study, meditate, and always obey his laws to have his blessing, abundance, and success.
Christians must recognize that reading and obediently living out God’s Word is a lifelong journey. I emphasize the word “journey” as that seems emblematic of those often surprising experiences and treasured lessons gathered during one’s travels even before reaching the destination. During a road trip or maybe a cruise, the stops along the way allow us to see, experience, and learn profound things.
If we approach reading the Bible as merely a destination or objective, then much of the meaning and purpose of God’s words will predictably elude us. To know and understand the Bible is truly meaningful. Still, God wants us to go deeper by opening our hearts and meditating upon or soaking in Scripture to reinforce our obedience. Meditation helps increase our understanding of sacred truth. Just as God expected of Joshua, meditation helps us focus on the Triune God, allowing us to love and enjoy him in all his fullness (1 John 4:8)—intellectually, spiritually, and aesthetically.
As we go through the seasons of life, we will face a variety of positive and negative experiences. Maintaining a consistent discipline of reading the Bible and meditating on it is vital to successfully navigate life’s ups and downs. Gathering with others to read Scripture and collectively meditate on it can also be very valuable in our growth and further aid us in our awareness of being in or out of step with God’s will and ways.
by Matthew Wessendorf
