Great success

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

This is the key to success. In these few verses one can find the answer to prosperity, and can prosper in his way. Four things can solidify our promise of prosperity and success:

1. Walking not in the counsel of the ungodly. If we seek ungodly counsel, we receive ungodly advice. Too many Christians go to their friends for counsel, and many times the friend is in need of counsel as much as they are! Too many go to court, and ask an arbitrator to intercede on their behalf, and They receive counsel based on worldly standards and doctrines. Be careful whom you seek for counsel, a man that is wise in this world may not be right in the eyes of God.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

2. Standing not in the way of sinners. Do not get caught up in another mans schemes. Many times our friends are concerned with their own well being, and will do most anything to get what they want. This world is full of unsaved men and women who plot and scheme against the law, the government, and authorities in general to “prosper” themselves. Many men will kill for the sheer feeling of dominance, and steal to satisfy their own lusts, and if we align ourselves for them, we become partakers of their evil deeds. Even our “Christian” friends sometimes look for “loopholes” in the law or with the standards that the Lord has set for us, we would be wise, and safer to avoid them, to an extent.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Cor. 6:17)


3. Sitting not in the seat of the scornful. Those that scorn the Holy things of God are worthy of His judgment. Many Christians befriend them to try and help them, but beware! Scorning can be contagious! Complaining is not trusting in the Lord,; it is evil, and is like saying that what the Lord has done for you is not enough. Complaining is bad enough, but scorning is pouring contempt on someone, and is judgmental, and wishing evil on another human being. Many scorn the Lord and openly curse His name, as if they were superior, and He was subject to their abuse.
Scorn can be directed at anyone, or any thing, any time. We need to train our tongues and be sure that we speak only good. A very prideful man usually will be a scorner. He will always be challenging authority, and seeking superiority for himself over any and all that he meets. Usually the scornful man can be easily recognized by the sneer on his face, and the words he uses carelessly.

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. (Mt. 9:24)

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. (JOB 12:4)


Now look at the first chapter of Joshua:

Jos. 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest OBserve to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest OBserve to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

We see, in essence, the same admonitions here; the promise of success to Joshua came through OBedience to the Lord. Here Joshua was to “OBserve to do according to all the law…” OBedience! He was not to falter from it, and only then would God prosper his way.
A further command was to always keep the Word of the Lord in his heart, and on his lips; he was to “meditate” on it day and night, everywhere he went, and all the time, so that he would be more able to keep the ordinances and commands therein. Here, after the admonition to keep on doing what the Lord would have him to do, is the two-fold promise of success and prosperity. Though these were Old Testament promises, they are still in effect for today!
What do you suppose would happen if you were to meditate in God’s Word, day and night? What about speaking in His behalf, and singing praises to him, and praying, and all the things that we can glorify Him in orally and verbally?
The New Testament also encourages us to keep our minds on Christ, and “meditate on these things”:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil. 4:8)

Wouldn’t it make a great difference in our thought life? We are to seek the Lord all day, every day, as seen in Col. 3:1,2:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

The Lord gives us three more reasons why we should seek those things which are above:

1. Because we are dead to this world.
2. Because we are hid in Christ.
3. Because Christ is our life, and is coming back, and shall appear with Him. (vs. 3,4)

The way to set our “affection on things above” is outlined for us in 1 John 2:15-17:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We either love God and hate the world, or we hate God and love the world, there is no half-way. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. (Jn. 14:15)

Finally, let me interject one more thing here; we not only can have great success, and prosperity in the Lord, but perfect peace, if our minds are stayed on Him:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa. 26:3

It appears that the Lord would have us to keep our minds on heavenly things, and not the things of this world. The following is a list of ways to do just that in these hectic days:

1. We can pray as we are exercising, or jogging, etc. or any time actually.
2. We can memorize scripture in our leisure time, and hide it in our hearts.
3. We can meditate upon our bed, or as we walk through our day, or drive, any time, anywhere, we can spend some time in meditation.
4. We can have a song of praise in our heart and on our lips any tome also. As a wife does the housework, she might sing praise to our Lord. Good Christian music can be played in our cars as we go about our day, and in the home as we do the menial chores of a household.
5. We can spend some time telling someone of the wonderful love of Jesus. Set a time for soul winning, and you are more likely to go.
6. We can testify to someone, either in church or on the street and excitedly tell them what Jesus has done for us. A testimony ought to be detailed, but short, and always giving glory to the Lord. Fellowship is a sweet blessing that the Lord allows us as fellow soldiers in Christ.
7. Finally, we can spend time in Bible study/reading.

These things are suggestions on how to keep our minds on the things of God all the day long without wondering how we can do it in today’s world. Remember to thank the Lord and praise Him always, and see if He does not give you great success.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Tim. 2:3,4)