The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share ‘Words of Comfort’ twice a week in our print edition and online at . Any member of the clergy who’d like to get involved can contact Allison Winters at awinters@sixriversmedia.com.
The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share ‘Words of Comfort’ twice a week in our print edition and online at . Any member of the clergy who’d like to get involved can contact Allison Winters at awinters@sixriversmedia.com.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.â€
Joshua 1:7-8/NIV
There are many avenues in life which may result in success and prosperity. Playing by the rules and following proper guidelines and procedures leads a person in a successful direction. Following education and guidance from knowledgeable mentors is also helpful with achieving success. Repeating previous appropriate and successful actions is also a strategy to follow with high probability of a good outcome. Teachers, mentors, knowledge and past successful outcomes provide valuable insight for future successes and prosperity!
Counterintuitively, people may want to take shortcuts hoping for a positive outcome. Shortcuts that somehow cheat or wrong others may be chosen which in the short-term may be successful and rewarding. However, in the long run someone will be short-changed and treated unfairly, possibly resulting in harm to them. Karma is a belief that if we do something bad to others, something bad will happen to us in return. There must be a better way! Let’s explore further!
In consideration of God’s instructions to Joshua, to help ensure success, I must be mindful, victory will occur when carrying out God’s plan and not mine. My humanistic desires, goals and motives may be self-centered and not for God’s good, or the greater good! Romans 8:28 says “all things work together for the good for those who love the Lord, who are called according to His will and purpose.†I can see how the passages from Joshua and Romans go hand-in-hand and guide the reader in the right direction leading to actions pleasing to God and ultimately success!
Going back to the focal passages, God provides Joshua instructions regarding what he needs to do to be prosperous and successful while completing God’s plan for him: read His Word daily; meditated on it continually; speak it to others; do everything that is written! Great guidance for us thousands of years after Joshua received this important teaching! In the following verse (v. 9) God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! If God is with me, and I am doing what He has called me to do, I am confident success and prosperity will occur! Amen!
Self-reflection consideration: how am I doing with reflecting on God’s Word and living by it? If I am, I will be successful with completing the work God has placed before me to do and prosperous moving forward in life! Good to consider!
Many blessings to you!
James Reasor is an author and volunteer chaplain with Ballad Health.
James Reasor is an author and volunteer chaplain with Ballad Health.
