GOD’S GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS (Prov. 3: 5-6)
By: Pastor Greg Tupas, Jr.
Grace Bible (Baptist) Church International
614 Brimley Rd., Scarborough, ON, Canada
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3: 4-5)
EVERYONE wants to be successful in life. That is why people invest their time and effort to attain higher education. Parents invest their resources for the education of their children. They want their children to be doctors or lawyers someday. That is why in the Philippines, parents would sell their properties which perhaps they inherited from their forefathers, just so their children will be able to be successful in their education and thus be “successful” in their chosen careers.
But what is the real meaning of success? To some, success means political power, honor, fame, riches. There are many power-hungry men in this world who will do everything to cling to power. Cheating during elections, vote buying are rampant. To some, to live in worldly pleasures, like gambling is success; to some, financial security is success.
But the word of God says “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8: 36).
In I John 2: 17 it says: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
World famous celebrities, rich and powerful men who may have all the material things in this world cannot be considered a success if they do not live according to God’s will. Their hearts are still empty despite everything that they have.
Their life can be compared to a doughnut, wherein there is a hole at the middle, which is empty.
How then can we be successful?
God’s Word gives us the guideline for success. God’s Word is like a road map which guides us in our daily walk.
1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. (Prov. 3: v. 5)
“Trust in the Lord” is mentioned 152 times in the Bible. Faith, trust or belief . God will guide us in our decision-making. He leads us through His Word. But it is apt to us to obey or disobey.
- God’s guidance is continually. (Isaiah 58: 11)
- God guides us into all truth and shows us what is to come. (John 16:13)
- God’s guidance to us, His children is unto death (Psalm 48: 14).
2. We should not depend on ourselves. (v. 5)
Sad to say, but we are not capable of leading our own lives. “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10: 23). Without God’s guidance, the capability, ability, knowledge and wisdom of man are inadequate and inappropriate.
This can be illustrated by what Sarah did when she gave Hagar, her maidservant to Abraham, giving birth to Ishmael and resulted to hostilities between Sarah & Hagar and until now among the Muslims & Christians, the Jews and the Arabs.
3. Acknowledge Him (v. 6).
We should acknowledge His Lordship in all areas of our lives – No exception! He is Lord of all or not at all. We should always acknowledge that God is the provider and source of everything, including our lives, so we must not miss to acknowledge Him and thank Him for everything.
Remember, success is not in riches and fame. These are all temporary. Success begins with faith, salvation and living in the center of God’s will. God’s part is, he will direct our paths.
