Everyone would like to successful, but what is real success? The world’s definition of success is focused on wealth, job status, and power, but is this real success? Wealth, job status, and power is not a key to heaven. Solomon writes this about the pursuit of worldly things in Ecclesiastes 2:9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. [1]
By the world’s definition, Solomon was a success, but what was the result? It was meaningless – like chasing the wind. Success apart from God is not success and sometimes it takes a lifetime to figure that out. The world lies to us!
Joseph was in prison because he was falsely accused, but he never became bitter or resentful. Instead Joseph made the best of his situation and was put in charge of the prison by the warden.
Genesis 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. [2] In God’s eyes Joseph was a success.
What is real success in the eyes of God?
Success in the eyes of God is having a relationship with our creator. Jesus died for our sins on the cross to make that relationship possible. John 3: 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[3]
Success in the eyes of God is being led by the Spirit of God. Romans 8: 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.[4]
Success in the eyes of God is not living for yourself but others. Galatians 5: 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.[5]
Success in God’s eyes is someday being in heaven with Him. Philippians 3: 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.[6]
What about you? What is the Lord showing you through this devotion? How does that change the way you see yourself and God?
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https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-when-falsely-accused
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.