The Key to Success

Joshua 1:8 says: This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. (RSV) The Hebrew word for "mouth" is peh and it used as the instrument of speech and figuratively for speech itself. The Hebrew word for "meditate" is haga and it means to growl, to groan, to sigh, to mutter, to speak; used figuratively: to meditate, to ponder. When we breakdown the verse we see that speech plus meditation (i.e. muttering) plus obedience equals prosperity plus success. It is quite easy to be a success even though the economy is difficult. Speak the word of God to others; mutter the word of God to yourself throughout the day and obey it.

The Hebrew word for "prosperity" is salah and it means to prosper, to succeed, and to be victorious. It is used of causing something to turn out successfully. The Hebrew word for "good success" is sakal and it means to act with insight, to be prudent, to give insight, to teach, to prosper, to consider, to ponder, to understand, to act prudently, or to act with devotion. The primary meaning of the word is to be prudent. To be a good success is to act with Godly wisdom in all your dealings, whether personal or business.

The passage in Joshua is giving clear instruction in how to be prosperous. It is great advice. It is as good advice today as it was when it was written for the first time. If you don't consider yourself a success, pay attention to what you are saying throughout the day. Grant permission to those close to you to call your attention to negative words coming from your lips. If you want a turn around, start by speaking what God says on the subject. You can be prosperous and successful. The choice is yours.