Want Success? Follow God's Formula
“Be careful to obey all the Law…meditate on it…be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” Joshua 1:7-8
God turned Joshua’s life upside down when He called him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He had been a follower, not a leader. He took orders; he didn’t give them.And what was his first reaction to the life-changing situation he found himself in? Fear. He’d never faced this before. He knew that in himself he didn’t have what was needed. Where would he get the courage and wisdom to successfully walk the new path God had for him?
Do you recognize yourself?
Faced with a possibly life-changing situation, are you wondering how you will manage? Where you will get the courage and wisdom needed? And how you might prosper and be successful (v.8)?
Even if you’re not facing a daunting challenge, we’re all wired to desire success in whatever we’re called to do.
So what is God’s formula for success in life?
Believe God’s Promises. When God calls you to a new path, listen for His promises—because they are there to give you courage! He gave the same promise to Joshua as Jesus gives to us: I AM with you. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you (Matthew 28:20). In every challenge, and down every scary, new path you face—get your strength from God’s promises.
Meditate on God’s Word. Meditating is more than reading, scanning the text, or rushing through a segment of Scripture. To meditate is to think about, ponder, to see connections to your life, your attitudes, and your assumptions. It then becomes living, active, penetrating, judging and revealing—a tool the Holy Spirit uses to lovingly produce transformation (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Be Careful to Obey. Believing God is with you and counting on His promises, releases His power into your situation. And, no matter how wimpy you are naturally, He will give you the courage to obey His Word.
Joshua moved forward, believing and trusting God’s promises, and found himself filled with the courage he didn’t have in himself. The result? He was prosperous and successful in all God called him to accomplish.
Are you longing for courage? To thrive in some area of your life?
Ask God to point out some promises to your heart. Chew them over. Grasp hold of them. Apply them to your life. Then go and live out God’s wonderful purposes for your life and His glory.
I’d love to hear how God is leading you. Share your thoughts on Facebook or email me directly.