Devotional: Don’t Just Sit at the Table

What’s the point in sitting at a feast and not eating from the riches of the table? If you go long enough without food, you become hungry, weak and afraid. In Joshua 1:1-9, each time God tells Joshua to not be afraid, God also assures Joshua that God will deliver him. But what must Joshua do? Meditate. In this passage, we see that meditating on the Word of God first heals our hearts and settles our minds. Second, it provides deep spiritual value by recentering our identity in the Truth of God’s word. And third, it unites Biblical truth to our day to day lived experience.

Questions for Meditation

1. Read Joshua 1:1-9 NIV. How many times does God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous? What does this say about how Joshua was feeling in that moment? Why was Joshua feeling that way? Can you relate?
2. Read Joshua 1:7-8 NIV. Despite Joshua’s fear, what does God tell Joshua to do in order to be “successful”? What has your relationship been with the Word of God? Has your heart and soul feasted on it or have you found yourself just sitting at the table?
3. Does “prosperous and successful” mean becoming healthy and wealthy? Read Joshua 1:3-5. Who will accomplish everything for Joshua? Who heals your wounds and gives rest for your soul? Can anyone take you from His hand? So, what is prosperous and successful all about?
4. The Bible describes meditation as “lovingly rehearsing” and “thinking lovingly”. What does it mean to “lovingly rehearse” the Word? What does that look like in practice?
5. What does meditating on the Word do for our hearts and minds?
6. The Bible also describes meditation as “growling” and “roaring”. What does being filled with the Word equip us for? Are you willing to feed a world that’s starving for the Truth by roaring the proclaiming the Word?