A heavenly standard for the regulation of all our conduct

(Arthur Pink, "A Prosperous New Year")

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. You shall 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 1:8

"You shall meditate on it day and night."
Only thus will its injunctions be fixed in the memory;
only thus shall we be able to ascertain our duty;
only thus shall we discern the rightful application of the Divine precepts to all the varied details of our daily lives.

The more I am regulated by the Divine Rule - the more I shall be preserved from the mistakes and follies which characterize those who follow a course of self-pleasing. But in order to do God's commandments, I must be conversant with them; and in order to perceive their breadth and specific application unto any problem or decision confronting me, I must "meditate on it day and night." Meditation stands to reading - as mastication does to eating. Spiritual prosperity eludes the slothful and careless.

"That you may be careful to do everything written in it." This must be the dominating motive and object. God's Word is to be appropriated and masticated - fed and meditated upon - not for the purpose of understanding its prophecies, or obtaining an insight into its mysteries - but in order to learn God's will for myself, and having learned it - to conform thereunto. God's Word is given to us chiefly - not to gratify curiosity or to entertain our imagination - but as "a lamp to our feet - and a light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105) in this dark world. It is a Rule for us to walk by - it is a heavenly standard for the regulation of all our conduct. It points out the things to be avoided - the things which would harm us. It tells of the things to be followed and practiced - the things which are for our good and our peace. It contains not only good advice - but is clothed with Divine authority, commanding implicit and unqualified obedience.