I realize that there are many people who love to do Scripture memorization. This is a wonderful exercise for your brain, but it will NOT cause you to be able to be a DOER of the Word of God! How do I know that? Joshua 1:8 tells us this:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
"Meditate" is the Hebrew word "hagah", which means: to murmur; to ponder; to muse; to speak; to utter; to mutter; to devise. In other words, if I am going to meditate on the Word of God, I am going to read it, then spend some time thinking about it while asking Holy Spirit to show me what it means to ME and how to obey it. I am also going to talk about it to others, especially those whom I know are students of the Word. As understanding comes, then I will put it into practice and continue with this meditation with every thing I read. That is what Joshua 1:8 is saying! It is only through meditation that we can "observe and do" what the Word is saying. THEN, the promise is, we will make our own "way prosperous AND have good success"! It doesn't happen any other way! To re-emphasize this, we read this in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan from Proverbs 2:1-8:
1 My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; 3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, 5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. 6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightlyand in integrity, 8 That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints.
Notice that the Lord hides this Wisdom away FOR us to find out! Only those who are willing to pay the price to be diligent and meditate will gain a true understanding of the word! We will NEVER understand the limitless Word of God completely, at least not in this lifetime, but every bit we DO understand and act upon will only increase our success and influence! Verses 9-12 continues:
9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path. 10 For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you. 11 Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil and the evil men, from men who speak perverse things and are liars,
Let's stay above all that is going on in the world today by making the Word of God, and our meditation of it and obedience to it, our #1 priority! AMEN! Only GOOD will come of that decision! Here is Hillsong United with "Say The Word":
Shalom in Him!
