Read the Bible for True Success

Joshua 1:8

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Do you want to be successful in what God has called you to do? In Joshua 1:8, God reveals the formula: staying in His Word so that we can obey His commands leads directly to true success.

This post continues our series on why we should read the Bible, focusing on a vital three-part cycle: Read -> Meditate -> Obey.

Step 1: Read the Word

God told Joshua to keep Scripture close—literally on his lips. Elsewhere in Scripture, God even commanded kings to write out their own personal copy of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:18–20). Unlike today, Bibles weren't floating around on smartphones or bookshelves back then, so keeping God's truth nearby took intentional effort.

When we let Scripture slide out of our routines, life gets messy fast. Take King Josiah's reign (2 Kings 22)—the Book of the Law had been lost right inside the temple! Because no one was reading it, no one was living it. It’s the classic "out of sight, out of mind." When God's Word stays out of view, it quickly slips out of our daily choices.

Step 2: Meditate on the Word

Reading is only the first step; we must also reflect on what we read. Scriptural meditation means harboring a deep love for God's Word—pondering its truth and discerning how to apply it daily.

To meditate is to linger on a passage long enough to understand it deeply, align our present reality with God's truth, and see how it applies to both our lives and those around us.

Step 3: Obey the Word

Understanding Scripture is meaningless without action. Joshua was called to meditate on the Law specifically so that he would be careful to do everything written in it.

Psalm 1 doesn't just praise the person who meditates on God's law day and night; it highlights the person who turns away from wickedness, sinners, and mockers. If we spend time in Scripture yet continue living in willful sin, the Word hasn't truly pierced our hearts.

Think of reading and meditation as training for an athlete. Studying the playbook is crucial, but the real test happens when you step onto the field to execute. As Jesus said:

"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." — Luke 11:28

Obedience is what pleases God most. In fact, God delights in obedience far more than superficial religious actions (1 Samuel 15:22).

The Result: You Will Be Successful

God gave Joshua a clear guarantee: if he faithfully read, meditated on, and obeyed the Word, he would succeed.

The Word of God is the ultimate path to success; our job is simply to walk in it. As you live out God's commands, you will experience genuine transformation. Looking back, you'll realize you are no longer the person you once were—not only achieving true success in your calling, but continually conforming into the image of Christ.

Key Action Items

• Build a Sustainable Reading Habit

  Commit to reading a small portion every day. Just one or two chapters daily will guide you through the entire Bible in a couple of years. Start a structured plan today, and focus on the parts you understand rather than getting bogged down by difficult passages.

• Anchor Your Mind Through Memorization

  Deepen your meditation by memorizing Scripture. When a verse speaks to you, write it down and review it throughout the week. Start small so your routine stays sustainable over time.

• Identify Immediate Applications

  Never read without asking, "How do I apply this?" If you read about heroes of faith praying, build a consistent prayer routine. If you read about giving generously, look for opportunities to honor God with your resources.

• Guard Against Passive Knowledge

  Knowing Scripture without applying it creates spiritual numbness. Approach every passage ready to put God's truth into practice—no matter how challenging it may feel.