Principles for Success

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph on February 14, 2010 at NLF Vashi. Here’s hoping I haven’t missed much. Happy reading!)

Soon, it will be time for some of our children to face their board exams (10th and 12th). And they prepare and face one of their defining moments in life. So it’s my burden today to share with you this message: How to be successful? It is a simple message that even young children can understand. As you hold on to these principles that I’m about to share, you will find success.

You see, God wants YOU-each one of you, to be successful. Some of you may be facing their exams, some in your new jobs; a few in their newly wedded life…whatever maybe your position, God is interested in your success in all your endeavors. In fact, He has given us a manual – the Holy Bible, that teaches us how to be successful in every area of our life.

If we look at the meaning of success, the dictionary says, it is an accomplishment of an aim; or a favorable outcome. Everyone who knows Christ must identify himself with these meanings of success; whether it is exams, interviews or any other work.

The Bible is full of examples of men and women of God who were successful in their lives. And it teaches us the principles by which we may attain success. Today, let me share with you five principles for success:

(1) Know God’s word and obey God’s word

1 Kings 2:3: “And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn”

The incident described here is David giving charge to his son Solomon of the kingdom of Israel just before his death. At this time, Solomon was a young lad. David instructs him to walk in God’s ways, written in the Law of Moses, and find success in ALL THAT he does and WHEREVER he TURNS.

You must first know His ways, before you can walk in His ways. You must first know the word before you can walk in obedience to it. Take an interest to know God’s word, make an effort to understand what God is speaking, and align your self in the direction of God’s prodding and walk in obedience to His word.

The Bible records that Solomon found success in everything as long as he kept God’s word. And it was the same with Joshua; when Moses gave charge to lead Israel. It was a formidable task – leading a whole nation into the Promised Land in accordance with God’s word. The Promised Land was not empty; it was occupied by ‘giants’ and protected by armies. Joshua was a mighty warrior too! Yet God’s instruction to Joshua is clear in Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go”

Study the word, walk in obedience and prosper! That was the recipe given by God to Joshua. If we look at Psalm 1, the same recipe is mentioned there! “…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Find success wherever you go and in whatever you do, when you study God’s word and walk in obedience. On the other hand, how can anyone succeed if he wants to walk in his own way? In Numbers 14:41, Moses warns those who wanted to go ahead and possess the Promised Land, presuming God to be with them. And Moses said, “Now why do you transgress the command of the Lord? For this will not succeed”. Disobedience to God’s word will lead to failure.

(2) Trust God’s word

2 Chronicles 20:20 …Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

The people of Judah were in a battle; and those against them were far too many-three armies against an insignificantly ‘small’ army of Judah. But king Jehoshaphat exhorts the people of Judah to trust in the Lord; and to trust the word of the Lord that had come through the prophecy of Jahaziel, to find success. We know the incidents following the trust and obedience of the people of Judah; the three armies that had come against them, ended up fighting with one another and were destroyed.

So, it does not matter how many are against us; it does not matter if we are outnumbered…we can still learn to trust God and His word. We will surely succeed. These incidents recorded in the Bible are not fables; they were real life situations faced by real people who chose to put their confidence in God. Sometimes our faith is tested; we do not find success immediately; there may be a time of waiting – But in all these situations, we trust God and hope in His word. Psalm 75: 6, 7 says that one generation must teach the next generation this: that they set their hope in God. Look what the Lord has done in the past, trust Him for the present, Hope in Him for the future – that is the secret to success!

In Isaiah 30:15, God says, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength”. To wait and be confident in God is our strength. We can see with eyes of faith on that which is unseen yet…look on with full confidence and know God will make a way, even where there seems to be no way! Jesus is our miracle-worker! They who trust in the Lord will never be put to shame. And Jesus never fails.

(3) Pray to God

In Genesis 24:12, Abraham’s servant went out to look for a bride for his master’s son – Isaac. He had come a long way, the place was a strange place; he had no idea where to turn. Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham”

We can learn the secret of success from this servant of Abraham. We can learn to pray specifically, and confidently. If you are in search of a life partner in marriage, you can place your trust in God and pray specifically. We know God hears our prayers. Yes God answers our prayers in a special way. It will be the way of success just as for Abraham’s servant when he found Rebecca to be the wife of Isaac. While he was still praying, the answer was on its way; when he finished praying, the answer was manifest!

Prayer is our dependence on God; we cannot do it all. We are not self-made individuals. Whatever be our societal standing, and our sphere of influence over men, we can all learn to pray like Nehemiah (Neh. 1:11), who was, you can say, one of the top government officials. He too found success and answer to his prayers.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Therefore, do not worry about anything! Pray with a spirit of thanksgiving; pray with full confidence and hope; pray a specific prayer and you will succeed.

(4) Work with diligence

You see, God is not someone who will close His eyes and bless somebody. He is not interested in blessing those who are lazy. In Nehemiah chapter 2, we find Nehemiah diligently planning to execute the work God had put in his heart. He encourages others saying, God will give us success. And in verse 18, the people say, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to do this good work.

The walls of Jerusalem were damaged; the gates were burned down. But in 52 days, they rebuilt the walls all around Jerusalem; even amidst the fear surrounding them, even with opposition; even with a weapon in one hand to fight and an implement in the other hand to build! What diligence!

God has promised that He will bless the work of our hands; therefore we need to show due diligence to our work. Let us try our best; let us do our best, leaving the rest to God. In the book of Proverbs, there are many verses that teach about diligence and hard-work. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward…”

(5) Take counsel

Without consultation, plans go awry. We must learn to seek counsel for success; in a multitude of counselors there is security and safety. Proverbs 12:15, says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise”. There are people who can guide us and correct us. We must learn and always be willing to take wise counsel from them.

We can surely find success in every area of our life; it does not matter from which strata of society you start from. Like Joseph, you may start from a slave and find success; or like Daniel you may be next to the king and still find success. Joseph learnt to trust God and walk in obedience to God’s word even in Potiphar’s house. Daniel chose to walk in obedience to God’s will fully aware of the consequences. Yes, Daniel was put in a lion’s den, not for any wrong he committed, but because he prayed to God as was his custom each day. We know how God bound the mouth of lions to save Daniel; and how Joseph was transferred from prison to the palace in a matter of days!

May God grant you success in whatever you do and wherever you turn as you follow these five principles for success. Amen!