There are some people who define success by the amount of money in their bank account. Others define success as achieving a certain level of distinction in their field. Still there are those, that see success as becoming a better, stronger, and smarter person than they were yesterday. I believe these are the people who are truly able to find the key. Those that are not in competition with others, but rather are in competition with themselves. They are focused on bettering themselves, and helping others do the same.
As I began to study the topic of success, I found myself in the Bible in the book of Joshua. As I began to read in chapter one, I was tickled to find God's recipe for a successful and prosperous life. I love when that happens. No one can tell me that the Bible is irrelevant...you don't want to have that argument with me. (I WILL WIN!) No matter what I am thinking about or searching out, there is always an answer in the Word. Anyway, I digress.
The Lord was talking to Joshua in this passage. Moses had died and now Joshua was left with the task of leading the Israelites into the promised land. He was in a new job, filling some really big shoes, and the Lord is letting him know that he is not alone. He gives him very specific instructions for success.
Joshua 1:5b-9
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
First thing is first, a reminder that you are not alone. Just as the Lord is speaking to Joshua, He is speaking to you today. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." No matter what God is calling you to do, He is not sending you in alone. He is there to lead and guide you every step of the way. Sometimes in the middle of the some of the most difficult challenges in our lives, we feel alone. Why is that do you think? I can only answer this question for myself. I have the tendency, especially in business, to take on the challenge without first asking for God's help and guidance. Why is it we only ask for help once we have jumped into something and gotten in way over our heads? Perhaps if we had begun the task with God's help, we wouldn't be struggling.
Then the Lord begins to repeat himself. "Be strong and courageous...Be strong and courageous...Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous" I would say the next step to success would probably be to "be strong and courageous." We cannot walk in fear. We must have faith and believe that no matter what we go through, God will get us through it. David had courage as he faced Goliath. The three Hebrew children had courage as they faced the fiery furnace. Daniel had courage as he was lowered into a den of lions. I could go on and on. If they can, we can. God was with them, and he will be with you too.
The next key to success is knowledge and obedience of the Word of God. We must spend time in our Bibles everyday. We must memorize scripture so that it is living in us when we need it most. Too often when life gets busy and we see "success" on the horizon, we get too busy to spend time with God. It becomes the first thing to fall off our to do list. This is the biggest mistake we can make. Discouragement, fear, depression, loneliness...all symptoms of a lack of devotional time with God. You want to know why you struggle? When was the last time you put God first? We all struggle with this, myself included. I love to be busy. I love a little stress in my life. It keeps me going. But without God, I can't do it. No matter how hard I try.
Success and prosperity will follow if we remember these things. These are the keys. When you try to measure your success, check these areas. Are you spending time in the Word? Are you stepping out strong and courageous? Do you realize you are not alone? Are you stronger today than you were yesterday? If you follow God's Word you will be a success. Perhaps not in the way the World measures success, but who cares? If I can look myself in the mirror and know that I did my best for God today, I'm a success. That is the only thing that really matters.
Blessings!
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