Repeated Success
By Marlene Houk
Burke County
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8
My cousin glanced at the menu and confidently informed the waitress of her choices. She had frequented the restaurant many times and knew that their food nourished her rather than causing negative effects. Her repeated success in choosing foods from their menu for her restricted diet had created an unfaltering trust and secure relationship with the deli.
In contrast, since this was our first time, my daughter and I perused the salads and entrees, gradually understanding what kind of food the restaurant excelled in and comparing what we wanted to the wide array of selections. While we knew we would enjoy the company, we hoped to enjoy the food also.
Taking time to study the menu rather than immediately ordering favorites reminded me of a spiritual truth. Repeated obedience in doing according to all that is written creates the success of a confident trust in God to work out His will in our lives (See verse above.) As Christians, our relationship with Jesus grows and deepens as we walk life together with Him.
We learn to respect, enjoy, and even anticipate the Lord’s joy as we interact together. When we pray for His guidance and wisdom and then watch God work, we grasp the magnitude of His care as He guides us through troubles. God’s answers often amaze me with their unique and unexpected outcomes. Whether God, as the saying goes, calms the outward storm or quiets my inward soul, I grow in understanding how He works in my life.
Now, after decades of observing God working to fulfill His will in my life, I have come to appreciate the small things like quiet moments meditating in the Psalms or silent prayers in the stillness of the night. The inner unseen work of the Holy Spirit astounds me as He brings to the surface of my mind the depths of biblical truths. As He teaches me to focus on the Lord, nudges me to remember my map for success (the Bible), and guides me to connect biblical truth to my daily life, I discover many facets of how the Lord grows me in grace and knowledge as we walk together.
King David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) found success in his fulfilling the will of God. Along his journey, his trust in God grew out of the myriad of tiny moments spent meditating on God. As he watched his father’s sheep, he composed songs about God’s power and love. As he fed, watered, defended, and created an environment in which the animals thrived, those multiple tiny actions culminated in the rich and enduring world picture of us as the sheep of God’s pasture. And as he confronted his own weaknesses inwardly, the king of Israel humbled himself and found success in abiding by God’s will.
After he became king, David’s journey with the Lord equipped him to decide wisely and guide his kingdom through the dangerous paths of war, deceit, and famine. When David experienced the later years of his life, he could confidently declare the truths of the Psalms because he had repeated successes in following the God who loved him. He had gained confidence in following the Lord because he had experienced blessings and fulfillment by trusting His plan.
When we have repeated successes in understanding how Jesus Christ relates to us in a relationship, then we have more confidence in that relationship. As the Bible draws us nearer to God and as we enjoy a life filled with conversations with Him (prayer), our ability to trust His Word and submit to His plan fills us with wonder—and more trust in Him.
As my cousin, my daughter, and I finished our delicious meal, we planned to meet at the same restaurant next time. Our pleasant interlude had delighted us, and the food choices had nourished us. Much like the repeated success with the restaurant, my daily spiritual interactions with the Lord sustain my soul and season my service to Him. And I experience God’s definition of prosperity and good success.
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Marlene is an author and teacher of Bible studies. She may be reached at Biblelady167@gmail.com
To receive helpful insight from the Bible, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.MarleneHouk.com, or connect with her on other social media. You can read more good Christian News from Marlene HERE.
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Blue Ridge Christian News covers Avery County, Burke County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Yancey County, and Madison County in North Carolina, and Christian news from around the country.
