Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 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 success.

Joshua 1:7-8

Just chasing the dream! For eight years, I chased the dream of success as a band director in North Augusta, S.C. I was a newlywed guy right out of college and ready to take on the world and make a name for myself. I inherited a band program of 35 students and grew the program to well over 130 within eight years. The students were happy, and we even played at Epcot Center in Orlando. I was pretty much at the top of my game. All seemed well, and life was seemed perfect.

There was only one problem. God and I had different ideas about defining success. I thought success was determined by how people saw me. If my bands were successful and grew to large numbers, I would be a success. If my bands went to individual and group competitions and played well, others would see me as a success.

I was so wrong.

Over the past 30 years, God changed my understanding of success and taught me lessons in humility and reliance that I needed to learn.

 

Success is Always on God’s Terms

In Joshua 1:7-8, we see how God defines success. He says we should be strong, courageous, and people that value Scripture as if our lives depended on it for every breath and every decision we make. When we define success, we usually do it based on prideful desires of status and wealth. I find it interesting that God addresses our success on two levels. One level addresses our mindset (strong and courageous) and the other our actions (do according to all the law; meditate on the law day and night).

These two perspectives are God’s terms for success. We can’t go around them, and if we try to define success in any other way, we ultimately fail. Remember, we can impress our friends and those in the world, but the only one who matters is God.

 

Success is Always Preceded by Preparation

Joshua took over for Moses, who had so many wins with God throughout his history with the Hebrews. God gives Joshua some much-needed help and advice. He instructs Joshua to meditate on the book of the law day and night. It was for Joshua’s protection, guidance, and strength. Let’s take a look.

When God tells us to meditate on something day and night, I think that’s a pretty important thing to do. We should always focus on God’s word (the Bible) and make it the primary source of our decisions. It should always be THE GUIDING FACTOR in every decision we make and every action we take. But if we’re honest, how many of us do that? How many of us put God’s word at the center of our lives in a way that it becomes our conscience? What do I mean?

Suppose you have a difficult decision to make about a possible job opportunity. Do you run it through the sieve of God’s word before making that decision? See, God guides us through His word and does it regularly. There is nothing mystical or unusual about Scripture. God wrote it for us so that we could be successful. His word is not a mystery novel meant to confuse us.

 

Success is Always Accomplished by Doing the Right Things

Not only should we meditate on God’s word, but we should also “be careful to do according to ALL that is written in it.” Let’s be honest. That is virtually impossible for everyone reading this. We all fail at the doing part. We try, but then we fail. The problem is that once we fail, we run the risk of spiraling into a self-centered, God-forgotten approach that brings attention to us rather than to God. This action is wrong and will only eventually cause heartache.

We should “be careful to do.” “To do” means that we should “keep doing.” It isn’t a one and done like throwing a penny into a wishing well and hoping for the best. It is a continual doing of all that is written in Scripture. 

That’s it! That’s the key to success. The manual is given for our help and God’s purpose. As we continue to do God’s word (the right things), God will bless us with success and His presence wherever we go. Isn’t that a fantastic promise?

What a way to wake up this morning! Understand God’s terms for success, prepare our minds for God’s success, and do the right things.