Only Then & All for Him

“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

We can’t obey everything in it if we aren’t in it everyday — Continually and consistently in the Word, not casually and conveniently to receive a word. God wants to speak to us every single day in an ongoing and active way — not just to tickle our ears but to transform our lives.

Two little words in this verse positioned perfectly to perfectly position us in complete submission and total surrender.

ONLY THEN.

What comes before those two little words? Study, meditate, continually, night and day, obey. That’s what we are CALLED to do — not out of duty or obligation, but out of love for the very One who gave His life for you and me.

“ONLY THEN will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” There are no real successes without surrender, no truly prosperous pursuit apart from Christ.

And by success, I mean blessed by God. By prosperous pursuit, I mean God honoring and Kingdom building. In the original text, both those words in verse 8 (succeed and prosper) refer to acting wisely.

There is no wisdom worth seeking apart from His Word. When we get into the Word, the Word gets into us. It changes us — Redefines success. Rearranges pursuits. Refines hearts. Realigns motives.

ONLY THEN AND ALL FOR HIM!