Joshua 1:7-9 (New King James Version)
7 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. 8 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. 9 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.”
Why do we struggle so when we are trying to achieve success in the things we do? Whether we strive to be a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better employee, we are consumed with being the best we can be. We want to be a success. We want to know we have reached a pinnacle of achievement that will allow us to say I have overcome. Books have been written about it. Posters have been made about it and lectures are taught about it. They all claim to hold the secret to success.
As with anything in life, if you want to be a success, you must put God first. Joshua 1:7-9 hands us the key to success in such a simple format. Three little verses. Read them, study them, follow the plan Joshua gives us. If you follow these simple rules, you will achieve successes that will overwhelm your life. Let's take a look at those simple steps:
1. Be Strong - Don't let things stand in your way or distract you. Focus on what you want from life and maintain your strength in going for those dreams.
2. Do not Turn - Keep your focus on God. Do not turn left or right. Don't second guess what God's ultimate plan is for you. Stay true to the Lord and keep Him in your sight at all times. Do not turn away and try to do things your way.
3. Meditate - Read God's word. Every day. Day in and day out. Do not stray from His word and His instructions for your life. It is in the reading and following of God's word that you will prosper and find true success.
4. Observe & Do - Learn what God wants for your life. Observe His instructions and follow them. We all learned the Ten Commandments as one of the first things we were ever taught to memorize in church. You know them, but do you use them? God's Laws are there to help us and guide us. We need to practice them daily.
5. Be Courageous - In this short selection of verses Joshua tells us twice to be strong and courageous. We should not fear or be dismayed. Some of the most beautiful words in the entire bible are found in the ending of Joshua 1:9 - for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. That is the ONE constant in our life. No matter what battles befall us, no matter what others say or do. the Lord YOUR God is always there. HE and HE alone is the one true key to success.
