The word “meditate” in this verse means to think about the Word and practice it so that it becomes part of you. You fill your heart and mind with the Word by meditating on the Word, by giving attention to the Word. And to give attention to the Word of God means to think about it continually, mulling it over in your mind!
But I want you to notice that after you meditate on the Word, you still aren’t guaranteed success. Then you must “…Do according to all that is written therein….”
In other words, it’s only after you meditate on the Word and practice it that you make your way prosperous. Also, notice that this verse does not say that God will make your way prosperous.
Many times people misinterpret this verse to read that God will make their way prosperous. Indirectly He does because it’s His Word that makes us prosperous, but this verse doesn’t say God Himself makes us prosperous. Who makes our way prosperous? Who makes us have good success? We do!
Psalm 1 says the same thing. The person who delights in the Word by meditating on it day and night is the one who prospers: “…his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Ps. 1:3).
The Amplified Bible says that when you meditate on God’s Word, you will be able to deal wisely in the affairs of life. You see, when you make the right decisions and deal wisely in the affairs of life, you begin to prosper. What happens when you make the wrong decisions? In some cases, you won’t prosper, and you won’t be successful.
I think we’ve missed the fact that we have far more to do with our own prosperity and success than we’ve ever realized. Yes, it takes faith to be a success. But we’ve also got to realize that according to these scriptures, another step is also involved. We must meditate on God’s Word and practice it. That’s how we’ll ultimately make our own way prosperous.
Many people know the principles of faith. They know that faith activates the power of God. They know that God wants them to be successful and prosper. Yet many of them haven’t succeeded even though they know the Word and are living right! Then what is the problem?
One problem may be found in Joshua 1:8. It says that after you meditate and study the Word, then you – not God – will make your own way prosperous. The wisdom of God’s Word in you makes you successful. You see, it depends a lot on what you do.
You’ve got to fill your heart and mind with the Word so the Word can cause you to deal wisely in all the affairs of life!
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Kenneth W. Hagin, President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and pastor of RHEMA Bible Church, ministers around the world. Known for calling the Body of Christ to steadfast faith, he seizes every ministry opportunity to impart an attitude of “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
Rev. Hagin began preparing for his call to ministry—a ministry that now spans 50 years—at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Tampa, Florida.
In his early years of ministry, Rev. Hagin was an associate pastor and traveling evangelist. Later, he went on to organize and develop RHEMA Bible Training Centers in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and in other countries around the world.
Kenneth W. Hagin’s array of responsibilities also includes International Director of RHEMA Ministerial Association International. He hosts the annual A Call to Arms® Men’s Conference, and with his wife, Lynette, cohosts RHEMA Praise, a weekly television program, and Rhema for Today, a weekday radio program broadcast throughout the United States. They also conduct Living Faith Crusades, spreading the message of faith and healing around the world.
Recognizing the lateness of the hour before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Hagin has expanded his speaking schedule beyond his regular pastoral duties. To fulfill the urgent call of God to prepare the Church for a deeper experience of His Presence, Rev. Hagin delivers messages that reveal key spiritual truths about faith, healing, and other vital subjects. He ministers with a strong healing anointing, and his ministry leads the Body of Christ into a greater experience of the glory of God!
Kenneth W. Hagin and his wife live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the son of the late Kenneth E. Hagin.