Tuesday
Read – Joshua 1:7-9, Deuteronomy 11:16-25
SOAP – Joshua 1:8
This law scroll must not leave your lips![a] You must memorize it[b] day and night so you can carefully obey[c] all that is written in it. Then you will prosper[d and be successful.
Part of God’s charge to Joshua as he led the Israelites after the death of Moses was to “be strong and brave”. Being strong and brave would reflect his trust in God as the one guiding and leading him as he led the Israelites. Equally important in his success as a leader would be following God’s word. God instructed Joshua to memorize it, obey it, and teach it.
God doesn’t promise us that we will always have success. Ultimately, God encouraged Joshua to study and memorize the law so that he could be obedient to God and a good leader. While Joshua was a good leader, many after him were not. These leaders did not know God’s laws and therefore, did not follow it. In order to live lives that honor God and are testimonies of His faithfulness, we need to study and understand God’s Word.
Lord, thank You that Your Word changes us. When we are constantly thinking about it we are able to make decision about big and little things in life in agreement with Your will. Help us to know Your will so that we can obey. Amen.