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Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Many years ago, I had to take a licensing exam. To pass the test I needed to study for several hours each day. There was one problem. I did not have a lot of free time. I worked fulltime and I had church and family responsibilities. I came up with a plan.

I would study on the train ride to and from work. I would study in the break room on my lunch hour. I would study at the library after work. Unfortunately, all of these places were noisy and full of distractions. Several weeks into what I now call ‘study plan A’, I was able to recite passages from the study books. But I was failing at the practice test questions. Why? I had no deep understanding of what I had read. I started a new plan.

I would arise to study in the wee hours of the morning. While there was a lot of material to cover, I only focused on short passages at a time. With family members asleep, there were no distractions. I was able to think deeply about what I studied until what was confusing had become clear. I took notes. I did this every morning for hours before heading out to work. In the daytime, whether on the train, in the supermarket, or at work, in my mind I would be recalling what I studied. After several weeks, it was clear that what I was learning was becoming a part of me. When exam day came, while the test was challenging, it was no surprise that I was able to successfully pour out the knowledge that was on the inside of me.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

As believers, we must meditate on scriptures. When we meditate on scriptures day and night as Joshua 1:8 instructs, we allow the Holy Spirit to deepen our understanding about God. We allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the truth of God’s word. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, the scriptures declare: But as it is written “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

Meditating on scriptures grows our love for the word of God. Psalm 1:2 says: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Meditating on scriptures, and applying what we learn, also transforms and matures us spiritually. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

If you have not yet developed the practice of meditating on scriptures, it is never too late to start. A good place to begin is to accept that we can do nothing without God. John 15:5 says, in part, “for without Me you can do nothing.” This means that we need God’s help to meditate on His word.

So, take a moment and ask God to give you the grace to meditate on His word. Then invest the time to study – to think deeply about – God’s word day and night. Remember, through the scriptures, we encounter God.