Success #3—The Means of Success

Moses said, “Meditate on these instructions day and night, so that you will be careful to do according to all that is written; for then you will make your way prosperous and have success.” Joshua 1:8

Sometimes we pay attention to the last words of great people—especially if they are old—hoping to hear a snippet of wisdom that will give us insight. Moses was old when he talked to Joshua for the last time. He had nothing to gain by Joshua’s obedience. He had no hidden agenda. Committed together to the same vision for decades, they were partners; committed to the same mission, they were comrades. But Moses’ words were not just for his protégé; they were for all of us. His promise can be reframed this way: You must be before you can do, and do before you can have. God knows that our minds shape our behavior, and our behaviors shape our destiny. When our minds are filled with the promises of God concerning how loving, powerful, wise, timely, and reliable he is, we will trust all of his instructions about how to relate to him and the people around us, some of whom do not always live righteously or justly. When we diligently and frequently study of God’s operations order, we will create a reservoir of wisdom from which we can draw as we consider the thousands of choices that decide the success of our journey.

Lord Jesus, renew my mind as I review your instructions every day, and fulfill every good desire and the work of faith with power. Amen.