The Prescription for a Prosperous Journey

“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 success” – Joshua 1:8
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Prosperity is not something you stumble into. It occurs as one feeds upon the truth of God’s Word found only in His Son Jesus Christ, and lives his or her life in harmony with that truth. But before one can walk in the truth, he must first know the truth. And for one to know the truth, he must have an untiring desire to intentionally put forth the effort to read and study the Word of God.
 
 “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him (Jesus), saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?” – Luke 10:25-26 
 
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – II Timothy 2:15
 
When Moses died and Joshua became his successor, God gave him the prescription for a prosperous and successful journey, that would benefit both the soul and life of a man. Joshua was to do three simple things - read, meditate and do. Notice the order in which these instructions are given. All three are connected to the Word of God as its main resource, and all three to are to be active efforts on his part; if he is to have a prosperous and successful journey. In other words, his prosperity and success would be the results of his obedience to God’s instructions.
 
Many Christians hear the Word of God time after time, and are even excited by what they hear. But they are not, and will not apply the Word of God to their life; because it is not their desire to change their lifestyle, behavior and conduct. What they do not realize is that they are walking in the opposite direction of truth, rather than pleasing their Father in heaven.
 
To please the Lord, you must not only hear and study His Word, you must walk in His Word. You must be a doer of the Word.
 
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” – James 1:22
 
Gaius, a faithful servant whom the Apostle John desired that he would have good health and prosperity in all other areas of his life, as much as he had prospered in his spiritual life (III John 1:2), didn’t just hear the Word of God, nor did he spend time reading and studying God’s Word to be filled with head knowledge; he obeyed the Word. He used the Word of God as a guide to build his character, conduct and reputation as a new creature in Christ. It was recognized by many who came in contact with him, that he indeed was a man of God’s Word.
 
Your obedience to God’s Word will be witnessed through your life as one who truly honors the Lord and His Word; and it will be because of your obedience to God’s word, that He will cause you to have a prosperous life. This is what the Apostle John desired for Gaius; that he would be prosperous in every other area of his life, as his soul prospered.
 
If you desire to have a prosperous and successful life, follow the prescription God gave Joshua to the letter; and the Lord’s richest blessings will be yours according to His Divine wisdom, in all other areas of your life.
 
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” – Psalm 1:3
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SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES (optional)
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• Luke 10:25-26
• II Timothy 2:15
• James 1:22
• Psalm 1:3

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Copyright © by Gale Wilcox. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages quoted are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.