October 23
Joshua 1.7-9
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Do you remember all those sermons you heard in your youth? Likely not. I remember a couple of things said in about 3 or 4 of them. Not the whole thing. Likely not the main point that was being brought out in each case. But there things I remember specifically about those few. But they did all affect me.
They affected me as they got me into reading my Bible more often. As I listened to the call to go on a couple of mission trips to Haiti. Making me look at myself and the church differently. Giving me a desire to connect in faith with some of the kids I hung out with in the neighbourhood.
I have been reminded of that nature of how faith grows in us over the past months again. Hearing people speak of how we need to be the church and it reflects with what we have been talking about together over the past few years. Reflecting on God’s words, our faith and the church. Moving to those places we have seen together in worship.
Joshua is telling the people to have God’s words before them. Being one thing that is being read, or spoken, often. Daily thinking of God’s words of who we are and who live as his people. We might not have the whole Bible memorized (I have never met one who has). But hearing and reading God’s words often keeps them in our minds and hearts. They change us to become who God is leading us to be.
God is with us in all of life. His words are in us to direct who we are and who we are becoming. Hear him well and think on who God has shown us he is so that we follow well. Meditate on God’s words and see him in all of our lives today and always.
Song – Lord, I Need You
Prayer
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find our peace in you as we meditate on you, and your word, each day. May we see your face before us and follow you in all we do, to the glory of your name, Amen.