It wasn’t enough for Joshua to possess the Scriptures; God wanted the Scriptures to possess Joshua. God did not tell him to create law or invent statutes but to be regulated by what was “written.”
Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, in the research for their book Move, set out to find the key factors for spiritual growth. They asked the same question that we are asking: How do we move out of the wilderness into Canaan? Out of weak faith into life-giving faith? Their summary: "Nothing has a greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on Scripture. If churches could do only one thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship with Christ, their choice is clear. They would inspire, encourage, and equip their people to read the Bible."
The key to spiritual growth is not increased church attendance or involvement in spiritual activities. People don’t grow in Christ because they are busy at church. They grow in Christ when they read and trust their Bibles.