GOING ON TO MATURITY

At thirteen I attended a church where I met an elderly couple, whose quiet joy, strong faith and godly characters flowed from their peace with God. As the old gentleman prayed I understood that he knew God intimately.

Seven years later the grandson whom they taught, nurtured and prayed for became my husband . Harrold recalled that his grandfather left school at eight years of age to work the eight-horse team behind the farm plough. He loved the Bible and regularly memorised verses. Quietly he constantly shared his faith, and later taught his grandson the doctrines of the Christian faith.

Grandfather Robert reminded me of Joshua to whom God gave a perfect prescription to lead the children of Israel into Canaan.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.” (Joshua 1 verse 8)’

A HOLY BASIS FOR MATURITY

The Scrolls of the day contained the Book of the Law with its God-given principles as guidance for Joshua to obey perfect instructions.

Joshua accepted that God’s ways were meant to keep him on holy track. Today we have the whole Bible to guide and mature us.

In our home we talked with an overseas student on “How to know the will of God.” After two hours’ discussion we almost jumped for joy when she admitted, “When I spend more time to understand the bible, I will discern how to please God.”

“I have considered my ways and turned my steps to your statutes.” (Psalm 119:59).

HOLY MEANS TO MATURITY

God meant for Joshua to regularly teach the law of God. Paul also taught Timothy - “The things you have heard me say, teach to reliable men (and women) who are able to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2).

The pursuit of knowledge and truth, although excellent, become unprofitable if retained. A wise spiritual “father” to my husband and me taught us by his “seed thoughts”. He often rang, “Get your notebook and write this down.” As he explained verses or a chapter, quite deliberately he challenged us, “Obey the Lord from this, and teach it to someone this week. You give it out and God will pour in more truth.”

HOLY THOUGHTS TO MATURITY

Joshua needed spiritual stamina to face the battles ahead. God challenged him to MEDITATE: to murmur in pleasure, to ponder, mutter, speak, talk, study and focus on God and His word DAY AND NIGHT.

From a Swiss chalet I watched a cow in the meadow, as she pulled at the lush grass, and chewed with obvious satisfaction. Then with a gulp the animal swallowed the grass, which slid into its primary stomach. Later the cow re-gurgitated the food, chewing with jaws grinding rythmically from side to side. Soon the cow again swallowed the grass, to pass into its second stomach. At twilight the cow’s full udder yielded litres of creamy milk for drinking, yoghurt, cheese and chocolate.

I meditate on God’s word as I work, as scripture verses encourage me I spiritually chew on them. A friend copies two verses each day and ponders them, and is blessed. We learned a good lesson from that cow.

The Christian’s meditation brings

HOLY RESULTS.

God’s promised prosperity and success to Joshua were not financial wealth or position. Joshua’s obedience, his testimony, meditation and godly actions were in virtue of God’s gracious, continual presence and power. His life actually prospered God rather than himself, and any success was to God’s glory and a witness to Israel of the faithfulness of God.

God prospered Joshua so that he was circumspect, intelligent, and rich with the wisdom of God. There were to be battles won and lost, but Joshua’s testimony showed his maturity when he could declare to all Israel “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

What a wonderful example to follow.

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