Almost every famous food business has a secret recipe for their products. Tightly guarded, sometimes even registered through a trademark, entrepreneurs ensure no one gets hold of their secret to success.
It is the other way around though in our faith journey. The recipe to succeed in our Christian life is widely written for everybody to know.
“And you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today. The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 30:8-10
The above pronouncement of Moses, he repeated to his protegee Joshua, who led the last leg of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. Joshua received the word at the time he was anxious and unsure about the task at hand.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8
To breakdown Moses’ instructions to Joshua and apply it in our daily lives today, we can say that Moses told Joshua to:
1. Memorize scriptures so that he can think of these Godly truths and promises whenever he needs strength to go on with his journey.
2. Fill his mind with the truth of God’s word, and think how it can help him decide on both big and everyday decisions.
3. Obey the commandments and teachings for his own good.
But the success defined here is not usually the material wealth this world is chasing. Instead, it is all about the “good success” or the abundant life that our Messiah, Jesus Christ died for.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
These non-material riches surprisingly can never be bought even by the richest men that walked the earth. If it can be bought then no wealthy person will suffer from anxiety, depression, lack of self control leading to substance abuse and violence, sleepless nights, and bad memories.
In His warning to His disciples, Jesus Himself said:
“Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15b
Instead, the riches and success that God longs to bestow on us are things that money cannot buy and the world cannot take away. These include being at peace with God and others, having the Lord’s fellowship, presence and guidance, a good name, having a good and respectable legacy to pass on, joy that transcends inevitable difficult circumstances, contentment, and opportunities to share meaningful moments and create meaningful memories with loved ones.
Even the last moments of God’s people are joyful because God surrounds them with the people they love.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-13
And as we ourselves discover the way to succeed in our earthly journey, we are told to not keep it a secret. We are instead encouraged to share it to everyone, so that they too can go from zero to overflowing.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 1 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Have you discovered the secret to success?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding us towards a life of goodness and abundance. Give us the grace to follow your commands and teachings, and tell others about the good news of salvation. Amen.
