This book

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1.6-9

God’s people have always been people of the book. I think we have talked bout before how important it is for us to have God’s work written down. That of course goes way, way back.

As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land Joshua knew that there were going to be many battles. He knew that when the going got tough the people would be tempted to be distracted by the troubles and the opposition. Joshua wanted to be sure that they thought about all the right things.

So he gave them a better plan. Don’t let the words of this book depart from your mouths. Always be speaking about the word of God. Meditate on it day and night. Keep your thoughts there. Do what it says – be doers of the word and not just hearers.

Like them we too have our share of battles. If we forget about the word of God we are going to be in big trouble. God’s word must go with us everyday and wherever we go. We can’t just talk about it and think about it we also must do it. Tomorrow we will see what happens if we do it.