The Definition of Success

Joshua 1:6-8 – Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

These are the words the Lord spoke to Joshua before leading the Israelites into their promised land. The Lord instructed Joshua to do four things:

1. to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses commanded.

2. not to turn from the right hand or left hand of the law.

3. not to let this book of the law depart out of his mouth.

4. to meditate on the book of the law day and night.

The Lord tells him this so that he may receive three things in return:

1. have good success wherever he goes.

2. make his way prosperous.

3. have good success.

When some people hear the word “success” today, they think about monetary and material gain. We envision nice cars, large homes, fancy clothes, and big bank accounts. We don’t always consider that there may be a simpler definition.

Joshua had a very big responsibility ahead of him. He was to complete the work Moses started by leading millions of Israelites into their promised land. For Joshua to find success, the Lord instructs him to keep the law (observe, speak, meditate, and act). As Joshua followed the law, he would be able to fulfill the task the Lord set before him while being a leader before the people. He would ensure his methods were in line with the Lord’s instructions.

We can share in the same type of success as Joshua. We may not be leading millions of people into a ‘promised land,’ but our positions in Christ are no less important.

It will be important for each of us to find success in keeping with the Lord’s will. As with Joshua, we must be obedient to the scriptures to ensure our Christian walk is successful and prosperous (observe, speak, meditate, and act). If you disregard the scriptures, sooner or later you will find yourself sliding back to old habits of the flesh.

James 1:22-25 – But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

By keeping the word of the Lord before you and doing what you read (and hear), you will ensure your life is successful and prosperous through Jesus Christ.

^{Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Piotr Bizior}