"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 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 1:7-8)

In Joshua 1:7-8 we read God giving Joshua a command to go straight, without turning to the left or to the right. This same command is given to all Christians, that we'd all go and adhere to God's word without turning to any other direction.

Why did God give us such a command? What will happen when we turn either way?

In this article, we'll take a quick look at some reasons why we must stick to God's word, with no turning away.

1) Distraction

The first reason would be distraction. If we move away from God's word, we will disobey God and spend our time, energy, and resources on something that He really doesn't want us doing.

God told Joshua,

"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."

If we entertain thoughts and plans other than the word of God, we'll be distracted from following Him and observing all that He tells us to observe.

2) Loss of direction

If we want our plans to prosper, and our direction secure, then we've got to stick to God's word.

When we carefully observe all that God's word says, we "will make [our] way prosperous..." That's God's promise, not our own way of convincing ourselves.

If we want to move forward in the direction that God has for us, and if we want to have the prosperous way, we've got to heed God's word.

3) Failure to hit the mark

Disobeying or not following God's word ensures that we will fail to hit the mark that God has set for us. Only through obedience to God's word can we be assured of good success.

"...and then you will have good success."

If we want to hit the mark and reach the finish goal as a victor, we've got to obey the word of God. We've got to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His commandments.