top of page
Search

POWER IN THE WORD

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • 1 day ago
  • 5 min read

Today’s Reading:

Joshua 1:7-9

Job 22:21-23

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe and do according to all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you, do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you; wherever you go.” (Jos. 1:7-9 NKJV)

“Now acquaint yourself with Him (the Almighty), and be at peace; thereupon good will come to you. 22) Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart. 23) If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; You will remove iniquity far from your tents.”                                                                                                (Job 22:21-23 NKJV)

Usually, in the Scriptures, when words or instructions are repeated more than twice, it is worth keeping in mind and meditating upon. When God commanded Joshua about three times to be strong and courageous, and not be afraid.’ He knew Joshua needed His encouragement to be able to lead the people of Israel. He knew it would not be that easy for him to step into Moses' shoes, unless he received help and encouragement from Him.


As believers, there are times we are running to and fro, fretting, and panicking in challenging situations when in fact, we should be standing still. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “I am with you. Do not be afraid” (v. 9b). When we acknowledge the presence of God with us, it gives us inner strength and confidence we need to move forward; move beyond our inadequacies; guilt complexities, and worries about our past. It gives us a glimpse of what God has in store for us in the future. God instructing Joshua to meditate upon His word is the way His word will be imprinted in our hearts and guide us in all situations, in our busyness, rearing children, in our relationships with other people, and in making decisions. God wants His word to guide us so that we would not walk with Him as the deaf and dumb, walk into the trap of the enemy, or make irreparable mistakes. As we meditate on the Scriptures, and the words weave through our mind, it is absorbed by our heart and it works its way through our thoughts (Hebrews 4:12).  To the extent that the lines of the words become our daily instrument/weapon – in our write-ups, in our speech, in our prayer, the responses we give to others, and in our decisions.

 

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success (v. 8). To some people, their prosperity and success are a result of their power, being smart, brainy, hard working, influential personality or their relentless desire to forge ahead. The strategy that God proffers to Joshua for gaining prosperity is far from the world system’s knowledge of strategy.


To prosper and to have success according to divine systems and strategy, we are to obey, amongst other divine laws, God’s command to Joshua:

  • First, surrender your life to the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ, believe the truth about the gospel, be baptised and be saved (John 3:3);

  • Be strong and courageous because the task of leading the people, or serving God through Jesus Christ, is not that easy.  We know what Moses went through.  Because of his anger towards the people, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land.  He only saw a glimpse of it from the top of Mount Nebo in the land of Moab (today’s Jordan) [Numbers 27:12];

  • Acquaint yourself with, yield, and submit yourself to the Almighty. Agree with God and be conformed to His will, then you will have peace and good will flow into your life (Job 22:21);

  • Receive the law of God, keep His word in your heart to obey them by the strength, might and power of the Holy Spirit (Job 22:22);

  • Constantly read, study and meditate upon the Book of Law, the Scriptures. So that you will remember the words to obey. It is then that you have success and make your way prosperous, in whatever you do, and wherever you are.


To succeed in life, we should follow God’s command to Joshua. Please note that this may not lead to success according to the systems or standard of the world, but it will lead to prosperity and success that brings peace of mind, and good will flow into every area of your life (Job 22:21-23). And God’s standard for us is the purpose of God for our life, which lasts for a lifetime.

                                                            OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honour of His name; Make His praise glorious; Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power, Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You, And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.”

  2. Thank you for the forgiveness of our sins and for sending Your Holy Spirit to stay with us, to comfort us, to teach us and to guide us into all truths, till the end of time, in Jesus’ name.

  3. Thank you, Lord, for the power of Your Word. Thank you for giving us your word to read, study and meditate upon to make us succeed, prosper, have peace and thereby good flows in our life, in Jesus’ name.

  4. Holy Spirit, teach me, guide me, and encourage me to acquaint myself with the Almighty God, that I may experience the peace of God that passes all understanding, and that good may flow in all areas of my life, in Jesus’ name.

  5. Lord, grant me an understanding heart and a humble spirit that I may receive and accept the Law of God, and lay His words in my heart to keep and act on them, in Jesus’ name.

  6. Teach me, and encourage me to return to the Almighty God, build me up, and empower me to remove iniquity far away from my tabernacles, in Jesus’ name.

  7. Lord, we commit our children, teenagers, young and older adults to your fatherly care. Be their Shepherd, lead them, let your Light shine always on them, to navigate them through this decaying world, in Jesus’ name.

  8. Father, open my eyes that I may see your mighty hand at work in my life in Jesus’ name.

  9. Lord, Your word says that You will build Your Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail. Lord, reposition your Church to give glory to Your holy name, in Jesus’ name. (Matt. 16:18)

  10. Lord, the earth is Yours and the fulness therein, let your name be glorified and the earth be filled with Your glory, as the waters cover the sea. Amen.  (Ps, 24:1; Hab. 2:14)

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page