"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good succees" (Josh 1:8).
The word "meditate" in this verse means to think about the Word and practice it so that it becomes part of you. You fill your heart and mind with the Word by meditating on the Word, by giving attention to the Word. And to give attention to the Word of God means to think about it continually, mulling it over in your mind!
But I want you to notice that after you meditate on the Word, you still aren't guaranteed success. Then you must "...Do according to all that is written therein...."
In other words, it's only after you meditate on the Word and practice it that you make your way prosperous. Also, notice that this verse does not say that God will make your way prosperous.
Many times people misinterpret this verse to read that God will make their way prosperous. Indirectly He does because it's His Word that makes us prosperous, but this verse doesn't say God Himself makes us prosperous. Who makes our way prosperous? Who makes us have good success? We do!
Psalm 1 says the same thing. The person who delights in the Word by meditating on it day and night is the one who prospers: "...his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Ps. 1:3).
The Amplified Bible says that when you meditate on God's Word, you will be able to deal wisely in the affairs of life. You see, when you make the right decisions and deal wisely in the affairs of life, you begin to prosper. What happens when you make the wrong decisions? In some cases, you won't prosper, and you won't be successful.
I think we've missed the fact that we have far more to do with our own prosperity and success than we've ever realized. Yes, it takes faith to be a success. But we've also got to realize that according to these scriptures, another step is also involved. We must meditate on God's Word and practice it. That's how we'll ultimately make our own way prosperous.
Many people know the principles of faith. They know that faith activates the power of God. They know that God wants them to be successful and prosper. Yet many of them haven't succeeded even though they know the Word and are living right! Then what is the problem?
One problem may be found in Joshua 1:8. It says that after you meditate and study the Word, then you - not God - will make your own way prosperous. The wisdom of God's Word in you makes you successful. You see, it depends a lot on what you do.
You've got to fill your heart and mind with the Word so the Word can cause you to deal wisely in all the affairs of life!
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Kenneth W. Hagin, President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and pastor of RHEMA Bible Church, ministers around the world. Known for calling the Body of Christ to steadfast faith, he seizes every ministry opportunity to impart an attitude of “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
