"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
Bishop Dr. Darlingston Johnson
November 9, 2025
The Key to Success
Joshua received a divine assignment: Lead Israel into the Promised Land
God didn't say: "Master warfare" or "Train in combat"
The secret to good success: Daily meditation on God's Word
What Biblical Meditation Is
"Reading gives information, but meditation produces transformation"
Biblical meditation is a spirit-led practice of focusing your mind on God, His Word, and His truth in a sustained manner until it transforms the way you think, believe, and behave.
Your brain is like a thermostat set to certain patterns
Past experiences wire your brain to respond in certain ways
Good news: Your brain can be rewired through meditation
This is what Romans 12 calls "renewing your mind"
The Tree by Rivers of Water
Psalm 1:1-3
The Fruitful Life
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
Psalm 1:1-3
Like a Tree Planted by Rivers
Planted: Stable and unmovable, not swayed by circumstances
By Rivers: Constant access to life-giving water
Fruitful: Bears fruit in every season of life
Prosperous: Everything you do succeeds in God's purposes
Never Withers: Always fresh, alive, and thriving
Practical Steps
The 4 M's and MEDITATE Framework
The Four M's
1. MUSE Silently
Turn the truth over in your mind, pondering it deeply
2. MUTTER Softly
Whisper the words under your breath repeatedly
3. MOUTH It Strongly
Speak it aloud with confidence and conviction
4. MEMORIZE It
Store it in your heart to recall throughout the day
M-E-D-I-T-A-T-E Framework (1/2)
M - Make Time: Schedule it, don't hope it happens
E - Embrace Silence: Eliminate distractions, especially phones
D - Determine Focus: Choose your verse or truth
I - Internalize the Word: Use imagination to see yourself living the truth
M-E-D-I-T-A-T-E Framework (2/2)
T - Talk with God: Turn meditation into prayer
A - Apply the Truth: Ask: What should I know? Believe? Do?
T - Think on It: Keep muttering the word throughout the day
E - Enjoy the Lord: Delight in His Word and expect fruit
Internalize Through Imagination
"The fastest way to get the Word from your head to your heart to your hands to your habits is to use your imagination"
See Jesus sleeping in the storm, then see yourself sleeping peacefully
Don't identify with fearful disciples, identify with Christ
Envision yourself responding gently when provoked
Internalize truth so it becomes your automatic response
Meditation Empowers Prayer and Worship
Meditation is actually prayer and worship
True meditation sets other prayers on fire
Worshiping without revelation = empty words
Meditate on God's goodness before worship
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God
Prayer Points
From the Sermon
Daily Commitment to Meditation
Father, I commit today to making meditation on Your Word my daily practice. Help me to prioritize meditation, knowing it will transform my heart and mind. Give me discipline to make time, silence distractions, and focus sustained attention on Your truth. Let this Word not depart from my mouth, but let me meditate on it continually.
Based on Joshua 1:8
Transformation and Renewal
Lord, I recognize that my mind has been wired by the world and past experiences. Today I declare that my brain can be rewired through meditation on Your Word. Transform the way I think, believe, feel, and behave. Exchange my thoughts for Your thoughts. Let Your Word transform me from the inside out.
Based on Romans 12:2
Fulfilling God's Assignment
Lord, You have given me a heavenly assignment. I don't want to profit by gaining the whole world but losing my soul or failing to fulfill Your purpose. As I meditate on Your Word day and night, empower me to carry out Your will in every area. Let meditation give me wisdom, strength, and character to represent Christ.
Based on Joshua 1:8; Matthew 16:26
Stability and Fruitfulness
Father, as I meditate on Your Word day and night, make me like a tree planted by rivers of water—stable, unmovable, and fruitful in every season. When bad news comes, let me not be moved because I am rooted in Your goodness. Let my leaves never wither, and let everything I do prosper in fulfilling Your will.
Based on Psalm 1:2-3
Victory Over Sinful Patterns
Father, I have areas where I keep struggling. Today I receive the revelation that the solution is to meditate on Your Word. If meditating on darkness can change people wrongly, then meditating on Your light has even more power to transform my desires toward godliness. Set me free through sustained meditation on Your liberating truth.
Based on John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Start Meditating Today
Don't Be Hearers Only, But Doers
Take the meal provided today and eat it—chew on it, digest it
Or cook your own meal in God's presence
Start meditating today, not tomorrow
Use the 4 M's and MEDITATE framework
Become like a tree planted by rivers of water
Experience transformation from the inside out
"Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night."