Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
—Joshua 1:8 NLT

I was not having a good day. Therefore, the twenty students sitting in my middle school English class back in 1983 were not either. Nothing major had gone wrong. I was just irritated and out of sorts. I knew it, but my mood persisted, and quite frankly, I had no desire to change it. After suffering through a side of Mrs. Gamble these kids had never seen, one intrepid seventh-grader raised his hand, interrupting my hastily spoken lecture on grammar. “Yes, John?” I said with impatience and a look that implied it better be important.

“Mrs. Gamble,” the student cleared his throat and swallowed. “We were all just wondering if you had your quiet time this morning.”

Shocked at his audacity and the shameful realization that I had not, I finally stopped and quieted my soul. Many times, I had told the students that a quiet time each morning before school was essential for me to teach well. They evidently heard—and remembered! Now, they were witnessing the results of “Mrs. Gamble Without Morning Time With God.” Not a pretty sight. I shook my head, grinned sheepishly, apologized, and right then and there, we prayed and started over. Truly, my mindset shifts when I begin the day remembering who I am—God’s beloved, His bondservant, His precious daughter who wants to do His will.

I came across Joshua 1:8 the other day and was struck anew. Moses had died. Joshua was now on his own and about to lead an entire nation into the Promised Land. He would command the soldiers, be responsible for the welfare of the women and children, and make the final decisions. To say that Joshua would be busy is a gross understatement. God had assigned him a monumental task.

So. What does God instruct Joshua to do? Be sure to exercise every day to be physically able to fight in battles? Make sure his troops are well-trained? Assign wise men the job of feeding the families left behind when the men go off to battle?

No.

God tells Joshua that the way to succeed is to meditate continually, day and night, on all that Moses had written down. Joshua was to know God’s Word inside and out. This was the preeminent command, and this alone would enable Joshua to succeed.

We are no different. I was “prepared” for that grammar class back in 1983—qualified to teach it, physically healthy, with a working mouth and brain. However, I failed miserably at conveying the lesson in a Christian school in a Christ-centered manner. I made students squirm and feel vulnerable and unloved. The whole atmosphere of that classroom was fraught with anxiety and tension. Learning does not occur when one is cautiously watching a temperamental teacher. What was needed most was what I had neglected: to start the day with the Lord and His Word. It’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten. And let’s face it, the year 1983 was quite a while ago!

Dear ones, even if we only have a few minutes, let’s start our day with God’s Word and His reminders of His love and His purpose for us to live each day for Him. Let’s surrender our stubborn selves to the One who makes us good. Truly, those we live with and work with will benefit greatly. And we will, too!

Father God, thank You for that life lesson all those years ago. Thank You for letting me fall flat on my face, and thank You for the student who boldly pointed out my problem. Lord, You are so good to reprimand Your children! Help us all come to You daily, eager for the heart change that occurs each time we sit at Your feet and learn from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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