in the Challenges You Face
Many people think prosperity is based on power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He told Joshua that to succeed he must:
(1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy. (2) obey God's law, and (3) constantly read and study God's Word. To be successful, follow God's words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes, and His opinion lasts forever.
- Joshua 1:6-8 (NRSV) Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.
How strange to equate success with obedience. For many, success is controlling others; for Joshua it meant being controlled by God. God told Joshua that to succeed he must obey the rules for living found in God's law. Often we can't see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God's Word. Remind yourself of God's words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said, and God will assure your success in carrying out His purposes.