I Kings 2:3
“Do your duty to the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”
Everyone wants to be successful. This verse shares the secret. We are to submit to the Lord and do what He says. What does He say? Paul ways in Romans 10:9,10, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” This allows God to apply Jesus’ sacrifice for forgiveness of sins.
Once this takes place God gives us a new heart that wants to seek after Him. This makes David’s charge to Solomon easy to do. We want to do what He says. We might not understand, He helps. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
He develops patience in us through this process. We learn to set aside our agenda. Some times it’s frustrating. But we learn to do so. We learn to expect good things. Hebrews 11:6 says, “For without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” It’s a win, win. God gets our cooperation, works His will and He blesses us.
Through this process He blesses others. We may be sharing encouragement, sharing the gospel or who knows what. An added bonus is that God’s gives us favor by others. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.”
When we become adults we venture out in work and He assists us in our career. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.” We make an income and meet a different array of people to relate to and share our faith with.
About this time we meet a life’s partner. Mark 10: 7,8 says, “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.” All throughout time, love has been celebrated. We go through our teens, excited to meet someone. While it’s not all roses, God and wise counsel helps us to walk closely and care for each other.
Kid’s come along. Marriage teaches us that we are no longer the center. Children drive that message home. It’s all for the better as God wants us to treat others well. Philippians 2:3 says, “nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” That’s how to be a good parent, to treat them well. We aren’t to make idols out of them, but to let them know they are loved.
That’s life. It’s so much better to do it His way. As David says, “according to His commands”. That will make us successful. Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” There we times in life where I was fearful. God has proven Himself faithful. Thank You, God.