“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” – Joshua 1:8

What a powerful passage of scripture! The mantle for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land has passed to Joshua and these words are some of the first God speaks to him. God tells him he will only prosper and succeed in his efforts if he does three key things – study the Word, meditate on the Word and do the Word. It’s the same for us if we want to prosper in all that we do.

Studying the Word isn’t the same as reading it. Studying may begin with reading, but it also involves considering the context of the scripture and looking for deeper meanings in the text. It may also involve finding related passages of scripture or researching the original meanings of words. To study the Word is to dig into it. The fruit of studying the Word is an increase in knowledge and a greater understanding of the text and how it applies to us in our daily lives.

Meditating on the Word involves setting our minds on the Word and considering it over and over. We carry it in our minds and ruminate on it throughout the day, sometimes even repeating it out loud. We ask the Holy Spirit to come and reveal things to us about the Word. It’s a lot like looking at an object from many different angles and considering what we’re seeing from each unique viewpoint.

Doing the Word of God is simple in concept, but difficult in its application. Something in us wants to comply, but we struggle in going from mental agreement to action. But faith without works is dead (James 2:26), so our actual doing of the Word activates our faith in a way that gives life to the truth we are walking out. Doing the Word activates the power of the Word in our lives. So, if we want to prosper and succeed in all we do, we must study, meditate on and do the Word of God regularly and consistently.