Three Steps To Success

Everyone wants to be successful. We all want to accomplish our goals. For many that push for success has become a god, a religion all its own. It has so consumed them that nothing can stand in its way. Amazon lists over 70,000 books about success, including success stories and advice for how to succeed. The world is searching for a sure-fire, fool-proof path to success. If only there was one…

In the book of Joshua, God gives a very clear path for success. In the first chapter, verses 7 and 8 end with “so that you may have success” and “then you will have success.” God was giving Joshua instruction for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, but these instructions apply to life in general.

Instructions for Success

1-Obey the Law.

Joshua 1:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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 command still applies to us, even though we are not under the old covenant (where the Israelites had to perform certain sacrifices to receive atonement for sin.) Jesus did not come to do away with the Law, He came to fulfill it. He Himself still obeyed the entire law, and He expects us to obey God’s law as well.

Romans 6:15-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

The reason that obedience is the first step in the path to success is that God laid out the plan for life, the best way we are to live, and that plan is included in the law. If we don’t obey God, then we will engage in lifestyles that will harm us, lifestyles that are bad for life, not to mention business. The Bible says do not steal: if a person steals from a friend, they will have problems. If a person steals from a company (embezzling), that person will not only be fired, but also probably face criminal charges, not to mention being blackballed in the business community, ruining any future in that field. Living a life of righteousness automatically leads to a life of success by default. It is so important that we not turn away from God’s instructions or deviate in any way.

2-Meditate on the Law

Joshua 1:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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.

The way that we obey God consistently is to meditate on His word. It is not enough to read it once in a while, go to church every Sunday, or even read the Bible every day. We have to be saturated by it so that it is a part of every area of life. If we meditate on the Word throughout our day, we are more likely to act in a godly way, so that we will be “careful to do according to all that is written.” That is how we have success. That is how God made life to work.

3-Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

It is so easy in our society to compromise, to give way, to be weak. But it is so important for us to be strong, to stand our ground, to not give in. This isn’t just some piece of advice, either, it is a command to be strong and courageous, but it is followed with a promise. We can be strong and courageous because God is with us wherever we go, whatever we do. Because we have God with us we don’t have to be afraid or discouraged, rather we can have courage and strength, His courage and strength. He is the Lord of the battle, the Lord of life, He is the Victor. He will give us what we need, but first we have to abide in Him, meditate on His word, determine to obey.

Joshua 1:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

No one will be able to stand before us. We don’t have to fear defeat because God is with us and He has the victory. We can be assured of success because God is for us. If we live a righteous life as He would have us, and trust Him to guide us in what He has for us, we can have confidence that we will have victory in the end. That is the path to success.