Have you ever had someone, commenting on your success, say, “You’re so lucky!” I have. One response I have to that comes from a quote attributed to Thomas Edison: “Luck is the residue of hard work.” In other words, success isn’t a chance event, but comes as a result of informed, focused and persistent effort.

But Ezra’s life points out an even more important explanation for success.

“This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6 NLT).

“He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him” (Ezra 7:9 NLT).

Ezra was successful in his efforts because of the “gracious hand of the Lord” on his life and work.

We see the same pattern in the life of Joseph.

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. (Genesis 39:2-5, 23 NLT)

But to leave this explanation here at “God was with them,” still falls short of discovering the true keys to success. God does not bless us just because we are his children, but because we are His obedient children. Again, look at at what the Word says.

In spite of the intense pressure of temptation, Joseph is steadfast in his desire to do what’s right in God’s eyes: “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God”(Genesis 39:9 NLT).

Joshua outlines to the congregation of Israel the keys for success when he says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8 NLT).

We see the same pattern in the life of Ezra: “This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10 NLT).

What are the keys to success in life?

1. Know. Study the Word of God so you will know how life was meant to be lived. God doesn’t want us to fail, but to live abundantly (John 10:10). Not only done we need to know that truth, but also what He says we need to do to achieve it.

2. Grow. Knowing the Word must be followed by doing the Word of God. James tells us that knowing without doing is like looking in a mirror and ignoring what we see (James 1:22-25). Success comes when we grow in our willingness and faithfulness to apply God’s principles to every aspect of our lives.

3. Show. Our lives are meant to be a blessing and a witness to others as we demonstrate to them the goodness of God, His power to transform and the practicality of following Him. God expects us to give to others what he has given to us (Matt.28:19-20, 2 Tim. 2:2).

Regardless of your location or vocation, if you apply these these principles to your life, you will experience great  and true success.

Pastor Jason

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