1 Kings 2:3-4

Fulfill your duty to the Lord your God. Obey his directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions as they are recorded in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go.

You’ll succeed because the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: ‘If your descendants are faithful to me with all their hearts and lives, you will never fail to have an heir on the throne of Israel.’

When David was about to die, he instructed his son Solomon. Be strong and mature. Fulfill your duty to the Lord your God. Obey everything in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go. You’ll succeed because the Lord promised success when the teachings were given to Moses.

Moses’ teachings served David well. He made some mistakes, but David’s heart was to obey God’s directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions. Everything. And he was pronounced a man after God’s own heart as a result. As a result, David enjoyed success in everything he undertook, from his days as a young shepherd boy, against all odds, slaying lions, giants, overwhelming foes, becoming the greatest king ever in Israel.

David was successful because the Lord made him successful. David knew God was behind it, so it didn’t go to his head. For the most part, with the exception of some parenting challenges, David finished well. And he set the stage for his descendants to also be successful. Solomon started well, but history tells us he deviated from David’s instruction.

A plan for success usually includes a vision statement, mission, short & long term goals, strategies, plans, risk assessments, metrics, hard work, and a few good breaks along the way. I have a sense David was big on all those things. What set him apart was his faithfulness to the Lord, his knowing God and his commandments and voice, and his obedience to them.

I may enjoy a measure of success by planning and executing well. Complete, well-rounded success comes from following the Creator’s design for relationship with Him and with people, and for life in general.

Lord, thank you for your written Word, our guidebook for success, and for your Holy Spirit within me. May I walk in obedience so that I can become who You created me to be, and succeed in the purpose you have for me.

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