she shares truth // joshua 1:8-9.

"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. 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.” joshua 1:8-9.


after the death of moses, the Lord spoke these words to joshua. when i read verse eight, i remembered a quote i once read: dusty bibles lead to dirty lives. the bible is the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God. it is not a rule book, but a guide. it shows us how to navigate this beautiful, crazy, messy, wonderful life God has created. there are countless stories that point to the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. i like what the matthew henry commentary says:  

it is not enough to hear and read the word, to commend and admire it, to know and remember it, to talk and discourse of it, but we must do it.

i've noticed a pattern in my life: when i get too busy or lazy - or whatever excuse i come up with - to read my bible, i give the enemy a foothold for sneak attacks. but when i am in God's Word everyday, there is peace. i'm not saying life is peachy keen because i read the bible. rather meditating on His Word leaves me satisfied and full. thoughts of doubt and fear are replaced with His promises and grace and love.


the Lord also tells joshua to be strong and to not be afraid. notice that the Lord says, "have I not commanded you?" it isn't a suggestion. my word for this year is lionhearted, so verse nine really gets me excited. i've spent so much of my life being afraid of other people and their opinions and what they think of me. but God [i love that phrase!] says He will be with me wherever i go. i don't have to fear anything or anyone. fear is such a crippling emotion, and that's not how God intended for us to live. Christ came so that we can have abundant life. no fear or worry or angst, but faith and hope and love.