Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Continuing from Pastor Foley’s message based on today’s scripture, let’s review his last of the three ‘P’s, which is prosperous Path to God-success.

Today’s scripture, Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) still instructs…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.

Consider…
When I graduated from Highschool, a church member gave me a framed inspirational saying that, “Success is a journey, not a destination”

According to AI Overview, the saying means that achievement isn’t just reaching a final goal, but valuing the continuous growth, learning, effort, and experiences along the way, with the process itself building character, resilience, and self-awareness, making the “doing” often more important than the final outcome.

Now I won’t say “doing” is more important than spending eternity with God, but there is truth in this quote.

When I saw building character, I thought of Romans 5:3-4 (NLT), which encourages…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.

Today’s verse highlights the blessing of letting God’s word lead us through our journey from here to eternity. The LORD told Joshua, and us, in response to prioritizing and practicing His word…
For then you will make your way prosperous

That led me to Psalms 37:23-24 (NLT), which promises…The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. [24] Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Before I continue, let’s pause and read this from AI Overview…
To “be prosperous” means to thrive, succeed, and flourish, typically involving financial wealth and good fortune, but also extending to strong health, happiness, and general well-being, indicating a successful and favorable condition in life or business.

God wants us to thrive, succeed, and flourish in our spiritual journey. As a matter of fact, Jesus said in John 10:10 (NLT)…The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

And many of us have quoted, Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)…For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

As always, I will point out a key to that promise is the following verses, Jeremiah 29:12-14 NLT
[12] In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. [14] I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Essentially what the prophet was saying is as James 4:8a (NKJV) emphasizes…Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…

So how do we thrive, succeed, and flourish in our spiritual journey from here to eternity?

Well Proverbs 14:2 (NLT) advises…Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.

So do you fear (reverence and deference) the LORD or despise him?

If you fear God, Psalms 1:6 (NLT) says…For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

The Holy Spirit just showed me, we’re all on the same path to eternity, it’s just a question of which destination we’re headed to, eternal life or death.

That reminded me of Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) which warns…There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

And Jesus saying in Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)…“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. [14] But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

That’s why John 8:12 (NLT) shares…Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Which reminds me of Psalms 119:105 (NLT)…Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

So tell me, what sounds more prosperous, walking in the light or falling in the dark.

Of course walking in the light strikes up the refrain from the hymn Jesus, the Light of the World…

We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,
Come where the dew-drops of mercy are bright;
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the world.

The reason it’s so important to walk the path lighted by Jesus is because John 14:6 (NLT) emphasizes…Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

The pathway to Heaven is one-way through Jesus! Any other path is going the wrong way.

Thus we must follow the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)…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.

Prosperous paths are God directed paths obediently followed. For example, Genesis 12:1-4 (NLT) shares…The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. [2] I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. [3] I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” [4] So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Do you see all the blessing God promises Abram for going where He will show.

Side note, an observation about God saying “I WILL SHOW YOU”, makes me think our problem is that we’re in such a rush to see what God has, that we won’t wait for Him to show. But God wants to show as we go. 🤯🤯🤯

You see God wants to walk with us to eternity, not just wait to see us when we get there

That’s why we advised in Proverbs 4:26-27 (NLT) to…Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. [27] Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

That’s because as Proverbs 13:6 (NLT) teaches…Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.

Thus our lifelong prayer, bringing it full circle to the prosperous Path through the word, should be Psalms 119:133 (NLT)…Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

That’s a good place to stop, with our recessional the hymn, Beams of Heaven as I Go…

Beams of heaven as I go,
through the wilderness below,
guide my feet in peaceful ways,
turn my midnights into days.
When in the darkness I would grope,
faith always sees a star of hope,
and soon from all life’s grief and danger
I shall be free someday.

Refrain:
I do not know how long ’twill be,
nor what the future holds for me,
but this I know: if Jesus leads me,
I shall get home someday.

Prosperous paths are lead by the beams of Heaven, radiating from Jesus, the Light of the world, who leads us out of darkness into God’s marvelous light which is eternal life.

Today’s song is…
I Will Follow Jesus

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)