The Secret of Wholesome Prosperity and Godly Success

UV 3678/10000 The Secret of Wholesome Success Only be strong and courageous; be careful to do everything in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. Joshua 1 v 7 The Lord asked Joshua as a leader of the people of Israel not to turn to the right or to the left. We cannot fly as individuals or society with just one wing. We need both wings and both wings need to flap together. It implies that as leaders we ought not to be either left wing or right wing but be balanced. In some matters, we need to be left wing or pro-poor, pro rationalism, pro equality. In some matters of leadership we ought to be right wing, trusting God, pro -rich, pro faith. We need to walk in the center of God’s will and obey or believe the whole gospel and not in parts. We need to wholeheartedly follow the ten commandments, believe the ten thousand promises of God in the word, obey the two commandments of Jesus. Our obedience might not be perfect or complete but our belief or trust must be perfect and complete. Inasmuch as our obedience to the word is not perfect or complete, the grace given or guaranteed by Jesus will cover the gaps. In other words, we need to be strong in faith and filled with the courage and confidence the Lord imparts to us through the Encourager, the Holy Spirit. The word Encourager literally means one who causes us to be filled with courage. When all these conditions are fulfilled, we obtain the promise of wholesome prosperity and godly success. The early apostles embraced voluntarily a lifestyle like the Master of poverty but it was a calling for them and for the times. Today, the promise is held out of wholesome prosperity and godly success for the believer of Jesus, a state in which our needs are met and we are also able to help others in their need. Studying and meditating on the word of God is central to the believer gaining in wisdom and remaining in favour with God and man. It is not a sacrifice we are making- the time we spend in the word is an investment for our own sakes. We are not doing God a favour but we are winning His favour. Only when we abide in His word or live in His word, live according to His word, keep His word in our hearts and minds, keep His word in terms of practice are we abiding in Him. We cannot bear fruit except we abide in His word which is synonymous with abiding in Him. When we ‘keep’ His word and rely on it more than our own words or the words of other men, then we become fruitful, successful, a blessing to others even as we are blessed. The word should be our staple if we are to be both stable and grow spiritually and indeed, in every sense.