That You May Believe Study Guide

Week 3 - January 17th, 2021

Joshua 1:8-9

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Context: After Moses has died and Joshua has been installed as his successor, the Lord comes to him with a message of encouragement as he begins his ministry as the leader of Israel. The Lord promises to be with Joshua just as he was with Moses and instructs him to “Be strong and courageous.”

Meaning: Moses is the most imposing figure in Israel’s national history. No other man has ever walked with YHWH the way he has and certainly no one has heard from God at his level. And yet, the promise of the Lord is to this effect- the Word of the Lord did not depart with Moses; it has been preserved in the Book of the Law. YHWH meets with His people when they meditate on His Word.

Life Application: This passage reminds us of the incredible resource that we have in God’s Word! As we properly interpret and meditate on its contents, it is just as though we see God speaking with us face to face! How encouraging to know that God is with us always in His Word! We can hear the voice of God and receive His direction for our lives when we dwell in the Scriptures!

For Further Study: Meditating on Scripture is a powerful tool for getting God’s Word inside of us. Psalm 119 serves an excellent guide to gear our hearts toward the Word of God. Make some space this week to read this Psalm out loud to yourself slowly, taking time to consider all that it has to say about the power of God’s Word.