The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Jesus Opened Their Minds

Tom Graves

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May 17, 2026

Jesus opened their minds, giving us insight into how dependent we are on God to understand His Word. As Jesus prepared to ascend into heaven, He began to prepare the disciples for a new season of ministry by giving them greater insight into the Word of God.

Luke 24: 44 Then Jesus said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.[1] The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms collectively represent the whole Old Testament. Essentially, every part of the Old Testament highlights the coming of the Messiah.

For instance, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 mentions Jesus’ role as a prophet. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 anticipate His sufferings. Psalm 16:9-11 and Isaiah 53:10-11 foretold Jesus’ resurrection. I can only imagine the awe these believers must have felt as they began to understand the Scriptures more deeply. 

We, Too, Need Our Minds Opened

I believe we have all come across parts of the Scriptures that weren’t clear or even caused confusion. Although that can be frustrating, it shouldn’t make us think we’re incapable of understanding them. Jesus gave us the Word to speak life and hope into us daily. His purpose remains the same, and we must realize it’s possible to experience it.

As believers and disciples today, we need the Holy Spirit to help open our hearts to His words. There have been many times when I read God’s word that a word or verse suddenly jumps off the page with new understanding. Where did that understanding come from? It was the work of the Holy Spirit, and perhaps you have experienced something similar.

God Opens Our Minds for a Greater Purpose

 God always has a greater purpose for us as we grow in His word than we can understand. When God opens our hearts, He does so with a purpose. In one way, He wants us to grow in our relationship with Him, and in another, He wants us to have a greater impact on the Kingdom of God. The disciples had a greater purpose than they understood at the time, and to fulfill it, they needed a deeper understanding of God’s word.

In many ways, we, too, have a greater purpose in life than we realize, and when God opens our minds, it is another step toward fulfilling God’s plans for our lives. You may feel unloved, and God gives you greater insight into how much He loves you. Just knowing that God loves us can be life-changing and set us on a new path.

As we grow in God’s love, we want to share it with others so they, too, can experience the love of Jesus. Transitions in life can come at unexpected times, and when they do, don’t be surprised if the Lord gives us a deeper understanding of His word that speaks to our circumstances. When this happens, we see our lives placed within God’s larger story.

To learn more about how Jesus opened their minds, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/ascension-jesus-and-the-disciples-in-transition

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 24:44–45). Tyndale House Publishers.

God is Still Working When Life Feels Empty

Paula K. Graves

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May 16, 2026

God is still working when life feels empty and even when we are unaware that He is with us. Naomi returned to Bethlehem, overwhelmed by the loss of her husband and sons. She openly admitted her bitterness. Her name, Naomi, means “pleasant” in Hebrew. She knew her life was no longer pleasant because of her losses, so she wanted to be called Mara, or bitter.

Ruth 1:19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.

20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” [1]

Complaining Against God

The problem of Naomi’s suffering is the driving force of the book of Ruth. The dialogue between the women of Bethlehem and Naomi demonstrates this. Never in the text does it suggest that God initiated or caused Naomi’s pain. Unfortunately, some will say that misfortune in life means that God is judging one for sin. While there are consequences for poor decisions, we don’t want to assume that God’s judgment is behind all tragedy.

There are times when vocalizing our raw emotions can be healing. Scripture is full of lament, or a heartfelt cry to God when we are overwhelmed. One-third of the Psalms express lament. There is a whole book of Lamentations in the Old Testament. These writings express deep grief and often include a plea for God’s help and a declaration of trust in His faithfulness.

Psalm 44: 23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever. 24 Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?… 26 Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love. [2] It is comforting to know that God does hear our prayers of lament, and this can help lead us closer to Him.

Hope to Come

Even though Naomi is suffering, we don’t want to miss how God is working behind the scenes to restore her. Naomi wasn’t entirely empty. She was back home among friends in the spring of the year. The end of chapter one gives a subtle hint of what is to come. Ruth 1: 22 So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.[3]

It was spring, and the barley harvest allowed Ruth to glean food for the two of them. This act led her to the fields of a man named Boaz. He noticed Ruth’s work ethic and commented that Ruth was better to Naomi than seven sons. (Ruth 4:15) Boaz acted as a kinsman-redeemer. This is a close male relative who is responsible for helping a family member in need, by redeeming property or marrying a widow to preserve the family line.

Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed. This brought great joy to Naomi. The child became the grandfather of King David, and Jesus would be a descendant of that line. We can see from this that God is still working when life feels empty. Even when we might not be able to see our way forward, we can trust God. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers

Choosing Faith When the Future is Unclear

Tom Graves

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May 15, 2026

Choosing faith when the future is unclear is about trusting Him above what we can see with our human eyes. It requires God working in our hearts. This act of faith played a role in Ruth’s life, as she traveled from Moab to Israel with her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Years earlier, Elimelech, his wife, and his sons had journeyed to Moab because of a famine. While they were there, Elimelech and her sons all died, leaving her and her daughters-in-law in a precarious situation. In the ancient world, without men in their lives to provide for an income, women would become destitute.

During this time, Naomi heard that the Lord had again blessed Judah with good crops. With that news, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave Moab for her homeland. Although Moab did not worship the true God, Ruth, her daughter-in-law, had been exposed to this Jewish family that would be instrumental in her coming to faith. It was Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law and the example of their family that must have stirred in her heart to return with Naomi.

The Narrow Road

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus describes the narrow road, the one He wants all people to follow. You can only enter God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is wide and broad, attracting many. The gateway to life is narrow and difficult, and few find it. Ruth did not know it at the time, but the work of the Holy Spirit was leading her to take the narrow road of faith. The narrow road is one that God determines, and to travel it, we must be led by faith as the path ahead is often unclear.

Ruth 116 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” [1] Only over time would Ruth realize that God directed her down the right path, and one that would transform her life.

Taking Steps of Faith

Ruth’s words are more than loyalty to Naomi: they are a decisive turn toward the God of Israel. With no guarantees ahead, Ruth committed herself to God and His people. True faith often begins when we step forward without knowing how the story will end. Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.[2]

The only way to follow Jesus on the path of faith is by taking the next step. Faith goes beyond mere belief. It is not just thinking, talking, or holding convictions about Jesus; faith requires action. James 2:14What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?[3] This is the faith that Ruth had, and it is also the faith we can have as we follow Jesus as our Savior.

To learn more about choosing faith when the future is unclear, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Faith is Tested by the Choices We Make

Paula K. Graves

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May 14, 2026

Faith is tested by the choices we make, as seen in Naomi’s daughters-in-law. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to head back home to Bethlehem. The three women readied themselves for the trip and started down the road.

Ruth 1:8 But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. 10 “No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.” [1]

It is interesting that both women declare they want to go with Ruth. Weeping would have indicated their grief at another separation. This time, instead of separating from their husbands, it was from their mother-in-law. They may have been expressing their grief over this farewell through denial.

Follow Common Sense

It was evident that Orpah and Ruth both loved Naomi, but common sense dictated that the two Moabite women stay in their own culture so they could remarry. Remember, a woman in that culture had no way to support herself without a male, unless she begged or became a prostitute. Naomi also reminded them that she couldn’t provide them with husbands.

Ruth 1:11 But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? 12 No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? 13 Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.” [2]

Our Priorities are Visible in Choices

Naomi had urged both daughters-in-law to return to their own people rather than accompany her to Bethlehem. They were still young and had a chance to start over. It seemed that God was against her, and if they stayed, perhaps her bitterness would infect them. From the world’s point of view, Orpah’s choice was the rational one. It would be risky to go to a foreign country.

However, Ruth remained loyal to Naomi. Ruth 1:14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.[3] Ruth’s priorities were different from Orpah’s. As we move forward in the story, we never hear from Orpah again. But Ruth will be included in Jesus’ genealogy.

It seems that even though Ruth had experienced hardships in life, instead of blaming God, she had come to trust Him. Ruth remained loyal to Naomi because she had introduced her to the Lord. Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [4]

To learn how faith is tested by choices we make, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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God’s Mercy Still Calls Us Home

Tom Graves

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May 13, 2026

God’s mercy still calls us home even when we have experienced failure. Scripture tells us this repeatedly. This very fact gives insight into the heart of God, our Good Shepherd, who never tires of calling lost sheep back to the fold. As the book of Ruth unfolds, we see this very story of God’s heart for His sheep unfold.

During the era of the judges, a severe famine struck. A man named Elimelech from Bethlehem left with his wife Naomi and two sons to live in Moab. Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with her two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, who married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After about ten years, both sons died, leaving Naomi alone.

Although Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons left Israel to live in a pagan nation, their mistake of not asking for the Lord’s guidance did not lessen the Lord’s heart for them. It is often in these situations when our circumstances are so difficult that we are more open to the Lord’s call upon our hearts.

God Stirs the Heart of Naomi

As Naomi contemplated her situation, something happened that would set her on a different path. Ruth 1:6 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. [1]

Even after failure, the Lord provides bread again in Bethlehem. God’s grace initiates a return before repentance is fully formed in the heart of Naomi. Hope often begins with hearing that God is still at work where we once belonged. This is the heart of the Good News of Jesus.

A drought caused the enemy to draw Naomi and her family away from their homeland, and now an abundance of grain in Israel would draw them back. Only in hindsight would Naomi realize that God would use the abundance of grain to bring her back to Israel because that was God’s plan for her life. It is always God’s plan to lead us back where we need to be.

God’s Grace

The Lord could have forgotten about Naomi because she left Israel, which was not His plan for her life, but He did not. It is often in grace that God returns lost sheep to the fold. How many people are spiritually far from God today, yet He begins to stir in their hearts and draws them to Himself. Only in God’s mercy can we come to the cross and be saved.

Today, you may feel far from God. You have made mistakes and wonder if you are worthy to respond to God’s call to come to Him. We are not worthy on our own, but only through the blood of Jesus, who gave His life for us on the cross, can we come to Him. Let these words stir your heart! John 3:16For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[2] Don’t let your past keep you from Jesus because God’s mercy still calls us home. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

Responding to Unwanted Transitions

Paula K. Graves

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May 12, 2026

In this week’s story, we see Naomi repeatedly responding to unwanted transitions. First, because of a drought, the family had moved from Bethlehem to Moab. Then an unwanted death intruded. Ruth 1: 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.[1] Naomi was now a widow. In that culture, a woman needed a man to care for her. Other than prostitution, there was no way for a woman to support herself. First, it would have been her father and then her husband. At least Naomi still had her sons.

There were more changes. Ruth 1:4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth.[2]  The wives of the sons were from a culture that worshipped idols. Scripture doesn’t tell us whether these women were willing to leave idolatry behind to worship the true God. As a result, we don’t know what their home life would have been like in these mixed marriages.

Another Calamity

Naomi’s life appears to stabilize for a time, but then she experiences another unwelcome transition. Ruth 1:4bBut about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. [3]

Naomi’s world had collapsed in stages; first her husband and then her sons died. This would have left her vulnerable without support in a foreign land. Scripture records these losses but does not comment on why. There is no explanation for her losses, and many times it is much the same way. We don’t understand the situation and may feel that God has abandoned us.

We often cannot control the circumstances, but we can control our response. Hard circumstances do not define our faith. But our faith determines how we respond. As we turn to God, even in silence and sorrow, God is there. It is at these times that God can shape our hearts for what is next.

Finding Strength in God

Responding to unwanted transitions and finding strength in God during difficult times can be a process. At the end of the first chapter of Ruth, Naomi names her bitterness. Even with this, Naomi perseveres. We, too, need to persevere as we trust Jesus.

Romans 5: 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.[4]

God promises His strength so that we don’t have to rely on ourselves. Isaiah 41: 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [5] We can respond with faith even when life unravels because our God is faithful. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Living Between Loss and Direction

Tom Graves

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May 11, 2026

Living between loss and direction can be difficult because you are in a place of uncertainty. As people, we don’t like experiencing loss and are often impatient while we wait for direction, yet this type of transition is not unusual. In the book of Ruth, Naomi experienced this challenging transition.

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. A man from Bethlehem left for Moab with his wife, Naomi, and his sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Without seeking the Lord, the family seemed to be making the right decision, but then hard times came upon them, one wave after another.

Ruth 1:3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. [1] Often, when we experience loss, we face a ‘Y’ in the road, asking, “Now what should I do?”  While we seek answers, God’s timing isn’t always ours.

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord is excellent advice to give to someone else, but it is hard to receive when you are in this place in life. Psalm 27:14Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. [2] Naomi and her family are caught between what they have lost and what they do not yet understand. Scripture lingers in this space to show that God often works in the in-between. Waiting on the Lord is itself an act of trust and surrender when clarity has not yet come.

As I wait on the Lord, I have time to reflect and pause during a hectic, confusing time, especially after a loss. There is something about a loss that affects my thinking, and as I wait on the Lord, He gives me peace. This is a peace that settles my heart and begins to prepare me for the next season. Waiting on the Lord is a posture of the heart that involves consistently seeking Him in prayer and meditating on His Word. This intentional time deepens intimacy and awareness of His presence, leading to greater joy and peace. During this time, God does unexpected, good things in our faith life.

God Strips Away Before He Can Rebuild

Naomi’s losses remove everything that once represented stability—her husband, sons, and a future. In ancient times, she was economically, socially, and spiritually vulnerable. God isn’t causing harm to hurt us; He is breaking the false hope that security depends on land, family, or plans outside Him.

Before guiding us anew, He often frees us from reliance on what we believe could save us. During prayer and reflection on God’s word, we often see what He is doing in this transition period. As we begin the next season, the valuable lessons God has taught us are shaping us into better people. Isaiah 64: 8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. [3]

To understand how Naomi was living between loss and direction, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Decisions Without God’s Guidance

Tom Graves

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May 10, 2026

Decisions made without God’s guidance often rely on limited human understanding, leading to avoidable challenges and missed blessings. We can easily fall into this trap, as we see in the story of Elimelech and his family leaving Israel for Moab during a drought. Rutha 1:1In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.[1] 

Although we can make mistakes in judgment, the Lord can use our missteps to show us how vital His guidance is and to encourage us to look to Him the next time. Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.[2] This wise guidance underscores the need to base our decisions on God’s Word and prayer as we seek Him. If we fail to do so, we risk relying on our own flawed and limited wisdom.

Seeking the Lord When I am Under Pressure

 Famine compels Elimelech and Naomi’s family to act, yet there is no record of prayer or divine counsel. Complicated decisions often tempt us to act quickly rather than wisely, leaving God out of the process and resulting in transitions that did not need to happen. In addition, our choices in tough times might reflect fear rather than faith.

When under pressure, the best thing to do is to take a deep breath to calm ourselves and seek the Lord. God is not surprised by our circumstances and longs for us to look to Him as our shepherd. It is our sinful nature that wants to move forward without consulting God, thinking we somehow know more than God does.

As we seek the Lord, not only does this bring calm to our spirit, but the Lord begins to reveal options we would not have considered. God may remind us of the importance of wise counsel. Consulting with a godly person I trust provides clarity, helps me better understand the issue, and often leads me to a solution.

Learning From Past Mistakes

 We can all learn from past mistakes if we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord. There may have been a time in your life when you reacted to a situation much like Elimelech and Naomi, when your circumstances seemed difficult. God doesn’t waste any of our life experiences, even if they were the wrong ones. Taking responsibility for our mistakes fosters honesty, which eliminates concerns about our failures.

When we are honest, we avoid issues like lying or telling different stories. Honesty liberates us from these burdens, enabling us to change what we will do next time. As people, we are continually under construction as the Lord transforms us. As we grow in faith, we are not the same person we were ten years ago. This is a testament to God’s love for us and to how He continues to shape and mold us so we become more like Him.

To learn more about the consequences of decisions without God’s guidance, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-transition-is-difficult

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Putting Faith into Action

Tom Graves

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May 9, 2026

Putting faith into action is a significant step for believers because it demonstrates our faith is genuine. After Moses’ death, the Lord told Joshua, Moses’ assistant, that Moses was dead and it was time for him to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the land He would give them. During this crucial moment, Joshua might have hesitated or made excuses, but empowered by the Lord’s encouragement and strength, he quickly put his faith into action.

Joshua 1:10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.” [1] On our faith journey, we frequently seek guidance and clarity regarding God’s plans for us. We want to obey and act, but often find ourselves indecisive and uncertain. Yet, a vital principle to hold onto is trust. Believing God’s plan is crucial and empowering, as demonstrated by Joshua’s leadership of the Israelites.

A Call to Trust

Central to following God’s plan is the call to trust. Trusting God involves surrendering our personal plans and accepting His perfect will. It means letting go of control and trusting that His plans surpass anything we can envision. Such trust calls for faith in God’s goodness, wisdom, and love, especially during uncertain or difficult times. When we trust in God, we can proceed confidently, assured that He guides us at every stage.

As we trust, obey, and act, we will face new challenges, opportunities, and seasons. As we look at the life of Joshua, leading the Israelites in crossing the Jordan River was just one of many steps in trusting the Lord. Along our journey of faith, we will also experience putting faith into action as the Lord leads. As we do, the Lord opens doors for us that we would not be aware of if we had not trusted Him.

Putting Faith into Action is Life-Changing

Putting our faith into action is life-changing because we are acting on what God tells us through His word and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Israelites could not move forward to the promised land if Joshua had not trusted God. In the same way, God can’t unfold the plan He has for our lives if we don’t trust Him. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [2]

God called Joshua to spend time in His word, and in doing so, he would be strong and courageous. To place our faith into action, we too need to spend time in God’s word and be empowered by the Holy Spirit. In doing so, God will give you the strength to move forward in faith, and in hindsight, it will surprise you. When you struggle to put your faith into action, meditate on this verse. Philippians 4:13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.[3]

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/be-strong-and-courageous

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Anchored by the Word

Paula K. Graves

no comments

May 8, 2026

God directed Joshua to be anchored in the Word to remain strong and courageous and to be successful. Joshua 1: 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.[1]

The Book of Instruction, also known as the Book of the Law, was written by Moses during the Exodus. Deuteronomy 31: 9 So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel.[2] It was this material that Joshua was to meditate on as he led the people successfully.

Meditating on the Word

To meditate means to engage in contemplation or reflection.[3] This would include studying, but also pondering over the meaning. The Hebrew word translated “meditate” means “to mutter.”[4] The Jewish people would not have read the Word silently like we so often do. They would have read it aloud and discussed it with one another. The NLT says to study the book continually. The ESV is more literal: Joshua 1: 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.[5] The reason it should not depart Joshua’s mouth is that he is to continually speak it.

Moses had given them specific instructions. Deuteronomy 6: 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed, and when you are getting up.[6] Meditation on the Book of Instruction was to be a daily, common activity.

God’s Word and Us

The best way to know the heart and mind of God is to read His Word. God reveals Himself in the Bible so we can know Him. We, like Joshua, still need to study, ponder, and assimilate God’s Word to be successful in this life and to prepare for the next.

God gave Joshua a promise for his faithfulness in meditating on the Book of Instruction. This would lead to his prospering and succeeding in all he did. Now, this doesn’t mean Joshua became rich and had no problems. This wasn’t worldly success but spiritual prosperity in the tasks God had for him. It remains the same for us. When we remain anchored by the Word, God will enable us to carry out the mission He has for us. In times of transition, success and clarity come not from strategy alone but from grounding oneself in God’s Word.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/be-strong-and-courageous

[1,2,6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jos 1:7–8). Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meditate

[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Strong (p. 27). Victor Books.

[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jos 1:8). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

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