The first and most basic discipline of a disciple of Christ, according to Him, is abiding in His word. John 8:31 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,”
Once you come to faith in Him, the Lord’s first and most basic rule for genuine discipleship is abiding in His word. This is rule number one, the basic. Where this is lacking, by implication, so will authenticity of one’s discipleship of Christ.
How seriously have you taken this command and how well are you doing the basic?
How strong is your relationship with God’s word?
Do you afford it quality time and approach it with the respect it deserves as the word of the living God? Or is your approach toward it casual and superficial?
Is your relationship with the Word of God cursory and offhand or is it purposeful and orderly allowing it to mould and transform you?
How much of your time and attention does God’s word receive in your thought life? Do you make a habit of intentionally internalising it through the act of meditation?
Long before the word “internalise” was in vogue, God commanded Joshua to internalise His words through the act of meditating on them. Joshua 1:7 – 8 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 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.”
It was only through engaging with and internalising God’s word that Joshua was going to be able to do all that was written in the Book of the Law which, in turn would guarantee the success accomplishment of God’s purposes for his life. Here was God absolutely upfront and frank about where the secret of Joshua’s success lie regarding His purposes for him. It was in carefully (not carelessly) keeping God’s commands made possible by continuously meditating on them.
Fast forward a few centuries and we find another man of God echoing the same unchanging truth in song form. We are introduced to the book of psalms with the psalmist extolling the virtues and benefits of internalising God’s word in Psalms 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
You see it is the act of meditating on God’s law day and night – continuously, not occasionally or haphazardly – that leads to success in all one does. By doing that, not only does one become mindful of God and His requirements but allows His word to penetrate deep within and take root in his life aligning oneself with it.
We see then that the very success of God’s plans and purpose for our lives depends on how well we engage with Him through His word. The lives of Joshua and David are prime examples of this truth.
Practise the art of meditating on God’s word day and night – whenever and wherever – to understand His ways and make them yours and in the process set yourself up for good, wholesome and God-destined and engineered success and prosperity. If you are serious about glorifying God with your life like Christ Jesus did (John 17:3), immerse yourself in His word in order to secure the successful accomplishment of God’s will in your life.
Engage with God’s word. Seriously.
