Life Plan Devotion #122 [Prosperous]

Hi, Everyone.
I just want to say how grateful I am to have all of you in my life. I love each one of you, and you are often on my mind and in my prayers.

Life Plan Devotion #122 [Prosperous]

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" (NKJV).

     We spent three days looking at the three "My part" clauses of the promise contained in Joshua 1:8. We know that before God can do His part, we must do our part. We discovered that our part involves immersing oneself in the Word of God, by reading, memorizing, reciting, studying, thinking, pondering, speaking, and meditating on it. Also, we discovered that we must act on what is in the Word of God. It is our guidebook, and we must heed and obey the principles contained in it. It is for our good.
     Today, we get to discover the first of two "God's part" clauses contained in the Joshua 1:8 promise. When we do our part, we line ourselves up with the Word of God, to receive "God's part." Joshua 1:8 states, "for then you will make your way prosperous..." (NKJV).
     Let's look at the Hebrew definitions for each of the main words in this first "God's part" clause. I won't include the Hebrew word for "then." Suffice it to say that it simply means "at that time or place." The word "you" is the subject of this clause, not "God."  Even though God promises to "make your way prosperous," He will not do it without you.
     Notice the wonderful helping verb "will." It does not say "might." When we do our part, according to God's Word, the result is always that the promise will happen. It may not happen right away, but it will happen!
     I almost didn't look up the Hebrew word for "make," but I felt the Spirit's nudging to do so, and I'm so glad I heeded. The Hebrew word for "make" is kârath (kaw-rath’), which means "to covenant (i.e., make an alliance); be freed." This is the reason why God breathed "you," not "I" (meaning God). God is a covenant God. He is all about partnering with us, rather than doing things on His own. Let's face it, often we wish God would just snap His fingers and make all our problems, especially our financial concerns, go away. He just does not work that way. He desires to work in and through us, and that is the covenant relationship. The absolutely astounding part of the definition of the Hebrew word for "make" is that the very second we covenant with God, we are "freed." In the spiritual realm, in the Kingdom of God, the second we covenant with God, our "way" is made "prosperous." It is loosed in Heaven, and it's on its way!
     The Hebrew word for "way" in Joshua 1:8 is derek (deh’-rek), and it means "a road; a course of life or mode of action, journey, manner, highway, pathway, whithersoever." I love that last word, whithersoever, because it means "whatever, whenever, wherever." You can't get more inclusive than that!
     "For then you will make your way prosperous..." (Joshua 1:8, NKJV). The Hebrew word for "prosperous" is tsâlêach (tsaw-lay’-akh), which means "to push forward:--break out, come mightily, go over, be good, be meet, be profitable; cause to, effect, make to, send prosperity." Look at that list. Which word describes how you want your "course of life or mode of action" to be "prosperous"? Perhaps you feel stuck, so prosperity for you right now would be "to push forward." Maybe your "manner" has been "okay." You do what you need to do every day, but you're ready for more. If that describes you, then prosperity for you would be to "break out." Based on what "prosperous" means, ask yourself the question, "What do I want God to do for me?"

What this has to do with weight loss: Have you been prosperous in your weight-loss journey? If the answer is "Yes, but not right now" or "No," you're not stuck there forever. What do you want God to do for you? Ask Him. Be specific. If you know that you line up with the "My part" of Joshua 1:8, God says to you, "then you will be prosperous" (TNIV). If you know that you don't line up with the "My part" of Joshua 1:8, do what you need to do to get there. You'll be glad you did.

After you have prayed your specific prosperity request, make it your confession, stating that because you line up with God's Word, it will happen. It's on its way!

Blessings,
Mary