SEP 28

Joshua 1:7-8
Memorise Psalm 1:1-3
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD;and in his law doth he meditate day and night”

Yes I really do sincerely want to obey God and keep His commandments, but how? Every day, I continue to struggle to contend with the same old sins. I do confess and repent, but then another sin crops up, and I end up sinning again. Can I ever break out of this cycle?

The words that the Lord gave to Joshua just before he entered into the Promised Land continue to ring true for us today, and have a wealth of application in guiding us to keep the law. Joshua was told three times to be strong and very courageous. That is what we need today as well. We need strength and courage from God to do the right things, to keep His commandments. We can never rely on our own strength, our own iron will and discipline, for that will never work. We are weak and sinful beings, and must rely on God’s strength to overcome sin. To try and obey through sheer force of will would only lead to more discouragement, for we can only discipline ourselves for that long before we finally crack. Instead, we should daily seek God and ask for His strength to overcome the various trials and temptations that we face in life.

But more than just strength and courage, we also need God’s Word. The Psalmist tells us that if we hide God’s Word in our hearts, then we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). Here Joshua is also told to meditate therein day and night, for that is how his way can be prosperous and have good success. This does not refer to material prosperity or worldly success, but rather the spiritual victory of overcoming sin, in not veering away from the course that God has set for him. When we spend time in God’s words, we have a mind renewed and attuned towards the will of God. The words of God are powerful, and can turn hearts and minds away from the world and towards God.

Dear Teen, in order to overcome sin, we must really be much earnest in prayer, asking for God’s strength and courage, and also spend much time seeking Him by reading His Word. 5 minutes a day reading the RPG is not enough. We must diligently take time to meditate on a passage or verse from the Bible, and sincerely ask God what it means, and how we should apply it in our lives. Only then can we begin to have success in obedience.

Thought: 2 mighty tools: Prayer and the Word of God!
Prayer: Lord, help me to pray more, read Your word more!