169. Prosperity and Success
Joshua 1:5 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
This conditional promise sounds like a “prosperity gospel,” preaching earthly riches, but it is your way that will prosper. You will have good success in your calling. Joshua was called to be the commander of the Israelite army to conquer the enemies in the Land and inhabit the Promised Land. That was his “way.”
The same promise applies to us, each in our own unique way. Each Christian has a personal vocation, or calling, to follow in life. Actually, we all have several callings: husband, wife, father mother, son, daughter, employer, employee, career, or even a hobby. God promises prosperity and success in your calling in the first place.
In the second place, the promise applies to spiritual prosperity and success. The closer we come to meditating on the Law day and night and keeping it the more we have, use, keep, and enjoy the spiritual riches God intends for us. Spiritual prosperity and success includes such things as love, joy, peace, contentment, satisfaction, acceptance, salvation, eternal life, and a just plain happy life. Such things cannot be bought or earned. They can only be received as gifts. Faith receives. Jesus earns it all and freely gives it all. It is only our own sin and unbelief that prevents our full enjoyment of God’s prosperity and success.
The promise is based on the principle that being “in the Word” produces wonderful blessings. Psalm 1 reflects this promise: “Blessed…on his law he meditates day and night….in all that he does he prospers.” When we spend time in the Word of God it may not feel like anything better is happening, but we believe that in the spiritual life something rich and blessed is really going on. Meditate on the Word, believe it, and God will grant prosperity and success to your unique “way.”