Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; 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.

Victory. Success. Have you ever stopped to consider these concepts? Have you taken the time to ponder the depth of meaning behind these words? Or do you, like many, go along with what the traditional, mainstream thinking would have you believe about victory and success?

So often, we become confused about what is really important in life. It is all too easy to be motivated by wealth, or other people's perceptions of us... when in reality, the Lord has already instituted a plan for success, and it rotates around things spiritual.

Remember the old athletic adage, "It's not whether you win or lose... it's how you play the game"? Well, try telling that to the people who walk off the court or field, having just succumbed to a team that may have played better. No one likes to lose, and it's difficult to keep a proper perspective when you've given all, but still come out losing.

So, what does God have to say about success? Does He place material requirements upon His people - virtual hoops through which they must pass in order to gain recognition from Him, or the world? Not quite.

Now, nowhere in the Scriptures does it say this, but it has been my observation that with only two exceptions, God's promises, including the promise of prosperity* and success that we find in Joshua 1:8, are conditional. They are conditional, based upon our response to them. In the case of this Scripture, the conditions are based upon our meditation upon, and actual "doing" of the Word. (The only exceptions that I have found, are the promise of God's unconditional love, and the Lord's promise to never leave us nor forsake us.)

So, success, and hence, victory, are not beyond the reach of a Christian. In fact, they are well within our reach - and yet, they do not necessarily mean the same things to us as they do to the world. Success in the Lord's eyes is based upon our hearing of the Word, and our subsequent actions.

I believe the Lord considers us successful when we do our very best to follow after His direction for our lives. Many times spiritual success is not something that can be measured by the world's standard, but is readily apparent by the fruit demonstrated through a life. Is your life bearing spiritual fruit? Are you meditating upon, and then acting upon the Word? If so, success is not far from you!

*Prosperity... I feel it important to note that I do not subscribe to the hyper-faith definition of the term, "prosperity". This particular word has a connotation that certain people have developed to mean that God wishes all Christians to be materially wealthy. While I believe that the Word describes the Lord as one who desires to bless His people, I do not believe that material wealth defines prosperity.

Copyright © 1996 Eric S. Reamer, all rights reserved

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