SUCCESS

(Sermons, List 4)

 Text:  Joshua 1:7-8. “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. 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.”

Introduction:

Do you want to be successful?  If you are anywhere near normal you surely do. Most of us want to be successful witnesses for our Lord, not only seeing positive results from our efforts but also adding stars to our heavenly crowns.

Few Christians would claim to be satisfied with their accomplishments. Most would admit they’d like to do better.  Some who have led many people to the lord can be embarrassed by the lack of visible results currently. 

As a pastor, I have apologized to God for my apparent lack of success and asked Him to send a replacement to do what I could not. But He never did. Perhaps that accounts for this sermon? I did need the encouragement. However, I don’t want to excuse myself.

Thankfully, God does not use the same criteria as men to define success. We measure it in large congregations, beautiful buildings and attractive fringe benefits. God prefers saved souls and changed lives.

Biblical Success

I’ll state three questions for consideration here and attempt to answer them from a Biblical perspective.

1.      What is success? 

        If you were listening when I read my text, you heard me cite the only use of the English word ‘success’ in the entire King James Bible. Since there are no others, the context where the word was used should define what Biblical success amounts to.

            A.      “Biblical success” is not a noun; it a verb. 

                  It isn't a gift; it's an attainment, one that should be recognizable as we perform our assigned tasks. In other words, biblical success comes in the process rather than at the end of it. It happens as we do the jobs God gives us faithfully.

 1.    Do you consider the Prophet Jeremiah a success? God did. Did Jeremiah enjoy the accolades of men? Could he point to specific examples of accomplishment his contemporaries might have appreciated?

No. Jeremiah was known as the ‘weeping prophet’ for good reason.  His messages were usually rejected, his life was in almost constant danger, and he was imprisoned often. Even worse, and despite his valiant efforts, people he loved and longed to see spared from judgment, ended up enduring the consequences of their sins.

2.      Were God’s prophets ever popular?

                  Not according to Deuteronomy 18:22, which indicates they inspired fear.  “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.” Men were certainly afraid of Samuel.  “So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’” (1 Samuel 16:4).

B.      Biblical success requires believing God, obeying His commands and leaving the results with Him. It does not demand results we can readily appreciate. 

2.      What did God mean when He told Joshua he would prosper and have ‘good success’ in his assignment as leader of the Hebrew Nation? 

      In the one Biblical reference to “success,” the word was equated with ‘prosperity in accomplishment.’ Not prosperity of accomplishment but prosperity in accomplishment.

A.  When Joshua obeyed, God could engineer the results He wanted, whether or not they coincided with the results Joshua and his cohorts hoped for.

             The Hebrew word translated to ‘success’ in Joshua 1:8 is ‘Sakal’ (Strong’s 07919), a word that was translated to ‘prosper’ in Joshua 1:7. Joshua's success in his God-given assignment would depend on obedience. He would prosper in his task only in relation to how He obeyed God.

The instructions

Look at the instructions again: “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. 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 1:7-8).

      B.      ‘Sakal’ was translated to ‘prosper’ in Joshua 1:7 and to ‘‘success’ in Joshua 1:8. But ‘Sakal’ can also be interpreted "be prudent, be circumspect, to wisely understand, and to have insight.” Joshua would not receive wisdom (or insight for acting prudently with the Israelites, unless he obeyed God. His success, if any, would be dependant on his obedience. God gave him his assignment and God would guide him along the way if he paid attention.

     C.  The Hebrew word translated to ‘prosperous’ in Joshua 1:8 is ‘Tsalach.’ (Strong's 06743). It seems to enlarge upon the kind of ‘success’ Joshua was promised.

             ‘Tsalach’ can also be interpreted to ‘make progress toward’ a goal.  Joshua's primary obligation involved obeying God. As he obeyed, God would guide his progress toward the goal. His prosperity, then, related more to obeying God along the way than in arriving in Canaan to divide the territory among the Israelites.

3.      Could Joshua expect to be successful without personal struggle?

              The Theological Wordbook Of The Old Testament (Moody Press 1980) defines the various uses of the verb ‘sakal.’ (TWOT 2263 and 2264) on pages 877 and 878 of Volume II). As those definitions indicate, Biblical success is dependent on both believing and obeying God. That does involve personal struggle but only with self.

Actually the word "sakal" is equated with two things: A good understanding of God's Word (as used in Jeremiah 3:15), and a wise behavior that involves obedience to the Word  (as used in 1 Samuel 18:14-15).

      A.      Jeremiah 3:15 says,  “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge (Sakal, Strong’s 1844) and understanding (deah, Strong’s 7919).”

God gave obedient shepherds knowledge and understanding for directing people. 1 Samuel 18:14-15 says, “And David behaved (sakal) wisely in all his ways, and the LORD <was> with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved (sakal) very wisely, he was afraid of him.”

David could have retaliated when Saul sought to kill him but it may have cost him the kingdom. His selfless desire to please God enabled him to receive his God-given heritage eventually.

How about us?

We must do whatever work is necessary as we endeavor to become successful workers for Jesus. We cannot expect Him to do our jobs. Our efforts do not detract from God's prerogative. He remains the author of our accomplishments; we are responsible to do what He says.

The last part of verse 8 can be interpreted this way: “For then  (as you believe and obey my instructions) you will make your (own) way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (My paraphrase).

Further Study:

I'd like to read my text again in context. Doing so may shed more light on Joshua's situation.  Joshua 1:1-9 says this:  “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them; the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall <be able to> stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, <so> I will be with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 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. 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. Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God <is> with you wherever you go.’”

First - Joshua was to observe what was written in the Law. He was told to perform according to the instructions, which required him to study the Law and understand the rules.

Second - Joshua was to do what was written in the Law.  He could stop with reading it. He had to memorize it, talk about it, and do everything it commanded.

Third - Joshua was to do according to what was written in the Law. It was authoritative; he had to obey it as well as teach it.

Fourth - Joshua was to do according to all that was written in the Law. He could not pick and choose. He had to obey all of it. Verse Seven says obedience brings prosperity. (Hebrew "sakal"). Verse Nine told him to be strong and courageous and trust God to lead him.

Joshua did obey God and he left the outcome to Him. Joshua 11:15 says,  “As the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.”

Joshua was wise to obey.  King Solomon said,  “[Let us hear the conclusion] of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

God demands obedience. He wants first place in our hearts and lives. When we seek His will, with the intention of doing it, He supplies our needs. Jesus said it this way:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Mat. 6:33, NKJV).

Biblical success unfolds as we obey God's commands. We prosper in the process that produces the results God desires. So, if you want to be a successful Christian, read God’s Word and submit to Christ’s Lordship.

Psalm 1:1-3 says,  “Blessed <is> the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But 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.”  Don't get too preoccupied with results. Concentrate on knowing and obeying God's will while leaving the outcome with Him.

Application

In March of 1982 I attended a Pastor's conference at Billings, Montana, where Jerry Cook was the principal speaker. Jerry's topic was "Leadership."  He was there to tell the assembled Pastors how to lead their congregations in becoming useful Christians. Jerry addressed a serious problem. Pastors must work at evangelism but their congregations must work at it too. 

Some Christians believe we are in a great revival today, and some congregations are growing. But the church as a whole is not. Few new converts are being added to the mix. The ‘supposed’ growth is mostly a redistribution of members - from ‘failed’ congregations to  ‘successful’ ones.

Revival changes cultures positively. Do you see positive changes here? Our culture is deteriorating rapidly. The church is not in revival it is in recession. We don’t need “church” growth; we need “Christian” growth. We have not changed the world; it has changed us. There is so little difference between regular sinners and churchgoers today that it is difficult to recognize a difference.

Proclaiming our faith is simply not enough. The world does not believe confessions of faith by believers who do not reflect Christ’s image. If you want people to believe your witness you must look like Him. Check your relationship with Him. Are you submitted to His control?  Jesus said;  “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.  And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21).

Jesus wants to manifest Himself to you and then through you to the world. But that will require you to live for Him consistently.

Forget about worldly success. Just do what God tells you to do and leave the results with Him. Then you can stop fretting and start prospering spiritually.

Conclusion

Successful Christian ministries do not, necessarily, bring accomplishments the world recognizes. They are simply lived out in the way we respond to God’s calling. When we know we are doing what God asks we need not be discouraged by what we see.

When God gives us a message for the congregation, and only three people show up to hear it, we are not responsible for the ones who stay away. We can minister to the ones who are present and hope they will cooperate with God in building His Church His way.

Good shepherds care for their sheep, feeding them when they'll eat, and protecting them when they permit it.   They also watch out for the sheep to protect them from themselves.

We should encourage our people to serve God wholeheartedly - which includes helping them discover what God wants them to do and allowing them to do it. Although we want them to become spiritual leaders and soul winners they responsible to God. Encourage them to seek Him until He gives them their orders and then do what He says. 

When all of us work where He calls us, with the idea of generating a culture changing revival in our communities,  “ then (we) will make (our) way prosperous, and then (we) will have good success.”

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David E. Beneze, Salida, CO, 27 January 1997.  Latest update 7 June 2007 in Canon City, CO.