FROM YOUR MOUTH

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8  NIV

It wasn’t until today, while listening to a sermon by Pastor Rich of Laguna Creek Calvary Chapel, Elk Grove, CA, that I realized where the Book of the Law should not depart.

I have memorized this verse, sang this verse, read and reread this verse – and did not pick up on this fact:

The Book of the Law is not to depart from the mouth.

We tend to fill in gaps in our own minds about things and for me, this is an example.  I had filled in the spot with my heart, not my mouth.  God’s Word is not to depart from my mouth.

What does that look like?  I understand keeping it in my heart – memorizing it, meditating on it, cherishing it. 

One of my favorite ways to fall asleep is to pick apart a scene in the Bible – who are the principles in it?  Where are they going, if they are?  What are they doing?  And what is God doing in all this?  I have made some cool discoveries by doing this and looking at every angle.

It’s like a dog chewing on a bone – gnawed at from every corner, every angle; set aside for a bit, then bought back to be gnawed and chewed again.

Shouldn’t our time in the Word be the same?

But, back to the mouth.  I do not have a clear-cut answer, but maybe the Word needs to stay in my mouth so I can share with others.  It is in my mouth for a reason:  to testify to His goodness and share His love with others.

It could be the very act of thanksgiving in song, or just words.  It could be in praising.  It could be in prayers, prayed out loud.  Or in words of comfort I say which speaking of our loving, heavenly Father who cares deeply for His children. 

It could be speaking the Word of God out loud for all to hear:  through preaching, teaching, witnessing, encouraging.

God’s Word is alive and I should treat it as such.  Precious life-giving water to a thirsty soul.

Why are we mandated to do so?  Just as God told Joshua He is telling us:  so we can be careful to follow do everything written in it.  I first wrote follow  (and decided to leave it in but crossed out), but we are not to follow, but to do.  This takes on a whole new flavor.

Like expecting sweet but we get savory.  Like ordering an hamburger without onions, and then finding them lurking under the lettuce after your first bite.  Ick!

We are to do?  Like James says:

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.  James 2:18

Deeds are important.  Doing the work of God is important.  Doing what His Word says is important.  Jesus Himself said:

“I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”  John 6:38 NIV

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also.  That is why I have come.”  Mark 1:38  NIV

Jesus was busy about the kingdom of God.  He did what the Father had Him do.  And this is THE WORD doing it. He is the Word (John 1:1-2) and His Word was in His mouth as He preached, taught, healed, and so much more.

While I was in those long years of suffering, I had much time to reflect, study, memorize and share (which it was exactly the time when God reminded me I was called to write – something I had neglected to do for quite a few years), so in a sense I was using my mouth.  Not that I ever had a problem doing so before, but this was and is, with purpose.

God does not mince words.  He does not tell jokes, do a ‘bait and switch’ with His will, say one thing and mean another.  His Word is Faithful and True (Psalm 33:4).

Let us then walk in them, have them in our mouths and do the will of the Father.  On repeat.  And know He is with us as we do.

PRAYER

Father, I so want to have Your Word on my mouth, in my heart and in all I do. But I fail miserably at times. Forgive me. And lead me as I step out in faith to be doing Your will, just as Your Son demonstrated that while here on earth. Thank You for Your Word as it is Life.