For forty years Joshua had served Moses. The close association came with many opportunities, privileges, and sacrifices in tow. Honing leadership skills, being exposed to Egyptian science and technology, military training in matters of culture and commerce, the scope of Moses’ leadership was opened to Joshua. Above all these, was following Moses into the tabernacle and up the mountaintop to places where Moses spoke face to face with God. He began to learn how to fellowship with God. All the privileges of learning elucidated above however did not erase Joshua’s fears when God told him:

“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He had seen the difficulties of persuading Israelites to follow the leadership of Moses, the challenges of getting them to believe the Word of God, their propensity to idolatry, internal conflicts, rebellion, and treachery. The task was daunting, the responsibility overwhelming and Joshua was taken captive by fear. Then came God’s assurance:

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Nothing is more assuring than God’s divine presence and partnership. As He extended it to Joshua, so did He to the church through our resurrected Lord as His glory enveloped Him and raptured Him before the very eyes of His disciples:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

His presence however does not absolve us of our responsibility to do according to all that is written in the Word of God. The Word is our guide and it is loaded with the power of God. Acting on the Word activates the presence of God and the hosts of Heaven (Psalm 103:20). The blessing of God is released upon the life of the doer of the Word of God (James 1:22).

The challenge of most people however is knowing what to do and struggling to do it. God however revealed the key to doing to Joshua in Joshua 1:8. Meditation is the key that unlocks performance.

“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.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The fine art of meditation which is being lost to a fast-paced generation has been practiced from the beginning of time and continues to this day. While adulterated by several religious persuasions, the counterfeit cannot annul the original. Isaac, one of the earliest fathers of Israel was found going out to meditate in the evening (Genesis 24:63).

The right conditions for meditation include isolation, tranquility, concentration, prayer, and journaling. It is pertinent to find a quiet place and that is why Isaac went out into the field. That way, he got rid of the noisy atmosphere of his residence. He found the tranquility to avoid distractions there. With focus, he was able to concentrate his thoughts on the Lord and upon his questions. It could just be accompanied by silent prayer for answers to questions, direction in decision making, or understanding of scripture. This act attracts the communion of the Holy Spirit and activates the ministry of angels. I will get into more details in the sequel to this article.

Victor Adeyemi