Translation into the vernacular: spend lots of time with God and especially in His Word, the Bible. Something I've taken to calling it for myself: tattooing myself internally (mentally, spiritually, emotionally) with the Word of God until I get to a point where I can't help but think of it, no matter what. In other words, this needs to become an obsession.
I will make one thing clear: I have no problem obsessing over things or people. I've spent my whole life to date doing just that. It's just that what I have obsessed over have been the wrong things. Therefore, the instruction is to get myself to a point of being obsessed with the Word of God, but in a way that it teaches me, and not in a way that leads me to become religious (i.e. appointing myself as the person whose job it is to make sure everyone else follows God's Word perfectly, but I somehow cut myself some slack), as this would be wrong. Rather, in a way that the Bible teaches me every day, and above all, causes me to grow in love, and not fear or hate.
So that's the instruction. What's the promise? That you will then be prosperous and successful. Another translation (NKJV) says this:
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. Joshua 1:8, NKJV
If you get yourself to a point where you're obsessed with the Word of God in such a way that you let it teach you and you grow in love (and also in the other fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23)), then you will make your way prosperous and as a result have good success.
Timeless Wisdom
After being rescued from Egyptian slavery and wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, the Hebrew people finally stood at the edge of the land God had promised.
Though their long-time leader, Moses, had just died, God appointed Joshua to take his place. During this transition of authority, God gave Joshua some wise advice:
After being rescued from Egyptian slavery and wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, the Hebrew people finally stood at the edge of the land God had promised.
Though their long-time leader, Moses, had just died, God appointed Joshua to take his place. During this transition of authority, God gave Joshua some wise advice:
“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.”
God gave the Law to Israel through Moses. These instructions reveal God’s intentions, character, and heart.
And even though God was speaking directly to Joshua at that time, His advice holds timeless wisdom for us today…
Reading, listening to, and thinking deeply about God's story informs and shapes us.
When we meditate on His Word, study its contents, and understand its core message—everything changes.
https://bible.com/bible/59/jos.1.8.ESV
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