Conditions To Become Successful And Stay Successful

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, “And now…listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live (be healthy, prosperous, in all things), so you may enter (become successful), and occupy the land that the Lord, the God…, is giving you (staying successful in God’s promises for you)

There are lots of people who have been successful or rich before. They are referred to as “once rich or he used to be very rich”. But now they are no more wealthy, or successful for one reason or the other.
In Deuteronomy 4:1-3, God is saying, for you to be successful and remain successful, you must obey and remain faithful to His commands.

Have you heard of some great politicians or business people, bank owners, once very famous and wealthy, but out of nowhere, someone you trusted so much, that you least expect, gets caught by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions operatives, or the other security operatives, for gross financial misappropriations and you wonder! The man you least expect is being alleged of serious looting of the treasury, then he is arrested, detained, arraigned and maybe sentenced. So someone who was once being highly prestigious, well-respected, soon become ridiculed, troubled, imprisoned and even bankrupt, with no dignity.

During the time in review, in the Bible, one major command of God was for people not to worship idol. People who worshiped idols were severely punished by God.

In verse 3 of Deuteronomy 4, the Lord said He destroyed everyone who worshiped Baal, the god of Neor (Baal was an idol worshiped by people then, your own idol maybe an handkerchief you believe gives you wealth and fame, it could be a ring you think gives you protection, or whatever you trust in instead of God, “But all of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today- everyone of you”

So if you remain faithful to God, you refuse to be distracted, so stay focused on Him, you obey His commands, then you will remain alive (relevant, rich, wealthy, successful).

To remain successful, “Obey the laws of God…”completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations.” That means if you obey God completely, you will be fruitful (successful) in all that pertains to you, you will be famous, rich, healthy and wealthy.

How to Stay Successful

Deuteronomy 4:16-20 “ …do not corrupt yourselves by making an idol in any form- whether of man or woman, an animal… bird…small animals (anything at all on this earth or in heaven), don’t worship anything, except your God, whom you don’t know what He looks like, you don’t know his shape or size, so how do you create an image or idol and worship, don’t worship any image, not a human, not your pastor, not your president.

You must not worship anything except God because “The LORD your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth” (Deuteronomy 4:20). So all these things you worship- money, riches, people, and idols are nothing more than what God created and gave to the whole world. So why worship them instead of the One who made them all?

These things cannot give you any success power. “Don’t make idols of any shape or form (whether handkerchiefs, rings or bangles), don’t make them your power for success, don’t make them your idol for protection, because “The Lord your God is a devouring fire, he is a jealous God” Deuteronomy 4:24
Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this. Deuteronomy 4:25B…. do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind (handkerchiefs, rings etc). This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger”

If you worship idol… you will be destroyed… Deuteronomy 4:26B, “If you break my covenant, you will quickly disappear from the land you are crossing… to occupy”

That means if after you become successful, you will not remain successful if you disobey God who made you successful.

You will lose your riches, your glory, importance and peace.

How to get out of this (Deuteronomy 4: 30-40)

When you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the LORD your God and listen to what he tells you”

Because you are being punished for disobedience, when you have suffered for it, you will realize God is your only solution, and then you will seek the Lord

“For the Lord your God is merciful God, he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made to you…” Deuteronomy 4: 31

“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time”

All these is about is Repentance, return to the Lord, stop worship idols, stop trusting mere things created by the Creator instead of worshiping the Creator Himself. Obey all His commands; we will touch other commands in subsequent editions of this daily post.

Prayer this morning: Forgive me of idolatry o Lord, in all ways I have sinned particularly by giving reverence to mere things you created instead of reverencing only you. Let your mercies shine on me again, help me to achieve success and stay successful, in Jesus name, amen.

God bless you and have a nice day!

CITY Pastor

Notice: Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.