Success God's Way

Chuckle: Newspaper Ad: "NORDIC TRACK $300. Hardly used, call Chubby."

Quote: "Let us work as if success depends on ourselves alone, but with the heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing and God everything." --St Ignatius Loyola

GOD'S VIEW OF SUCCESS

"After the death of Moses, the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun. . . Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess the land I swore to give their ancestors. . . Obey the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do" (Joshua 1:1, 6-7 NLT).

What is success, and how do you measure it? Many think that success is achieved through power, influence, personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead financially. If Christians aren't on guard, we can begin measuring our success by the world's standards rather than God's. In Joshua's case, God showed him a different strategy for gaining prosperity that goes against the views of the world. God also told him to be strong and courageous because the task would not be easy. Let's glean some important truths about achieving success God's way.

First, we should seek God's purpose for our lives. If we are to have a standard against which to measure our success, we must understand where God is leading us and why. God's purpose for Joshua was for him to lead his people to the promised land. If you recall, a previous generation had failed to possess the land because of their fear and lack of trust in God. Now, God set a condition before Joshua -- be obedient, strong, and courageous. If we are to know success, we must ask God what he wants us to do. What has God revealed to you about his purpose for your life?

Second, we must claim the promise that God is always with us. Imagine how Joshua must have felt as he stepped into Moses' shoes. He must have realized his own strength was totally inadequate to complete the task God had given him. In verse 5, God said to him, "No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." This same promise is repeated in the New Testament. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5 NIV). "If God is for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31 NIV).

Third, we must obey God's Word. God told Joshua not to let his Word ever leave his lips. He instructed him to think deeply about it day and night and not to depart from it either to the left or the right. He was to constantly read and study God's Law. If you follow the instructions for success that God gave Joshua, you may never achieve success by the world's standards, but you will be a success in the eyes of God, the only One that really matters.

Each of us has a choice in life: Will we follow the rules for success determined by our secular society which only matters in this life, or will we follow God's rules for success that have eternal implications and consequences. By continually asking God to direct us we can avoid the pitfalls of pride, greed, selfishness, and unbelief, while conquering all the challenges that face us and achieve his purpose for us.

Love, Jerry & Dotse