“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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, NKJV

I am yet to meet anyone who does not want success. But the question remains, what is ‘success’? When is someone said to be ‘successful’?

Books about ‘success’ have been best sellers over the years in every language.

I have read some of them but I’m yet to read an author who has clearly defined the notion of ‘success.’

Indeed, many people confuse ‘success’ with ‘wealth.’ I think the two are totally different.

Not every successful person is wealthy, and there are wealthy people who are convinced that they are total failures in life.

For example, the old man who was recently honoured for faithfully teaching primary school kids for 50 years has lived a simple but very successful life.

So, there are different types of success and there is no definite standard for success; anyone can be successful in their own way. 

In our meditation today, we reflect on what God told Joshua when he took the mantle of leading the children of Israel following the death of Moses, the man of God.

In this version of the Bible, this is the only place where the word ‘success’ appears.

The Hebrew term suggests that it implies being able to achieve a specific mission or goal. In a sense therefore, success is the opposite of failure. 

In essence, God was giving Joshua a tested formula for avoiding failure.

The message to Joshua was clear: ‘If you want to achieve your task of taking these people to the Promised Land, keep my word in your mouth and in your heart and follow my instructions to the letter.’

Of course this message could ring a bell for Joshua as he already knew that Moses, his predecessor, failed in the same mission because he did not fully obey God’s instructions. 

If we make a stand on the promises of God, take Him for His Word in faith, and follow His instructions however ‘unreasonable’ they might be, we shall have “good success.”

Moses petulantly hit the Rock – moreover twice – instead of speaking to it as per God’s instructions.

The ‘Book of the Law’ basically signified God’s message or communication to humanity.

If Joshua kept his thoughts, words and actions in tandem with God’s communication to humanity, he would achieve success, moreover “good success” –implying that some success might not be necessarily good.

In the New Testament, the Bible says that Christ is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).

So, what is your relationship with the Word of God? God says that our real secret to success in our purpose is related to our relationship with the Word – the Son of God.

In Psalm 1:1-3, David says that those whose delight is in the Word of God, and who meditate in it day and night are “blessed” and shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do shall prosper/succeed.

If we make a stand on the promises of God, take Him for His Word in faith, and follow His instructions however ‘unreasonable’ they might be, we shall have “good success.” It is a guarantee!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for your Word, which is alive and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword. Help me to obey Your Voice daily so I can have good success. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!