praying effectively: Teach, Meditate and Obey (Joshua)

(Joshua 1:6-9)  “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 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 success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 22:5)  “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

(Joshua 23:4-11)  “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. 5 The Lord your God, He will thrust them out from before you and drive them from before you; and you will possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, 7 so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them. 8 But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. 9 For the Lord has driven out great and strong nations from before you; and as for you, no man has stood before you to this day. 10 One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you. 11 So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God.” 

(Joshua 24:23)  “Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that (we and) Israel do not worship any other gods (23:7)
- that (we and) Israel turn away from evil and turn to the Lord God (24:23)
- that (we and) Israel teach and meditate on God's laws (1:8)
- that (we and) Israel are obedient to God's laws (1:7-8, 22:5, 23:6)
- that (we and) Israel love God with our everything, and hold fast to Him (22:5, 23:8, 11)
- that (we and) Israel serve God with our everything (22:5)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, may my love for You be evident to the world around me, by how I serve You and live out Your words.

Thank You for Your promises.  Help us to realize that when we do act disobediently, You do not disown us, but there are consequences here on earth.  And when we do obey Your laws, You bless us!

Help the nation of Israel to see and realize their need for You.  Help them to turn their hearts back to You so that You may bless them in a mighty way.  Amen.