A daily inspirational piece sent out by a national ministry promised that "God created everyone of us to be successful.... that means you will have opportunities to meet the right people, opportunities to advance in your career, opportunities to fulfill your dreams.... there are seasons of favor and increase for your future." Oh, that it were true! How much easier my calling would be if I could promise that becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus was a ticket to health, wealth, and happy lives. People would flock to church. The writer of those lines leads a huge church and no wonder. But, his words, at best, misrepresent the truth; and, at worst, are a lie!
The promise of abundant life that Jesus gave to us has little to do with 'the right people,' or 'favor' or 'increase.' His promise of abundant life is centered on knowing and doing the will of God - often at great cost to ourselves. He demands (a harsh word, but true) that we 'take up our cross and follow' Him.
The prophet Jeremiah was called by God to go and preach to his people, but when God called him, He told the preacher that no one was going to listen. "Jeremiah, you're going to preach your heart out for 40 years, warning and pleading, but this people will turn a deaf ear!" And, do you want to know something amazing? He did it anyway. For Jeremiah, faithful obedience was much more important than earthly success! Over the years, he was imprisoned, accused of treason, beaten, and publicly humiliated. He had his heart broken by watching his people be crushed by their enemies, knowing all the while that if they listened to his message, God would intervene.
So, you're thinking, "Yeah, Jerry, that's true, but he was a Bible guy. It was easier for him than for us." Think again.
He was a man who hurt, just like you and me. Read his sorrowful words in Lamentations 3. Here's an excerpt. "I’m the man who has seen trouble, ... {God} took me by the hand and walked me into pitch-black darkness. Yes, he’s given me the back of his hand over and over and over again. ... He’s got me cornered. He’s a prowling bear tracking me down, a lion in hiding ready to pounce. He knocked me from the path and ripped me to pieces. ... . He took out his bow and arrows and used me for target practice. He shot me in the stomach with arrows from his quiver. Everyone took me for a joke, made me the butt of their mocking ballads. ... I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom." (Lamentations 3:1-20, The Message) Now there's a text you won't hear preached by too many prosperity pastors!
Of course that is not how God actually treats us, but that's how it felt to Jeremiah after 40 years of apparent failure! I am just glad it doesn't end with that despairing note. He then tells us the rest of the story. Take a look, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord." (Lamentations 3:22-26, NLT)
Jeremiah knew this consolation: the approval of God, the knowledge that his obedience was not forgotten by the Almighty. He desired God's approval more than an easy life!
Dear friend, if you're chasing success, you will not be a faithful servant of God. The real god of those who want success is Self. The gospel that proclaims "God wants you to succeed," is a false gospel that makes Jesus our servant, instead of calling us to service. It is true that God loves to bless, but His blessings are not always in our bank account, nor are they counted by the houses on the lake we own. His blessings include deep assurance that our name is written in the Book of Life, that we are restored to a right relationship with our Father in Heaven, that we are privileged to live with great purpose instead of simply passing our days eating and drinking until we die, that we have Heaven as our home with a reservation secured by the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those are our true riches.
Ponder Jesus' call today. And ask yourself, what am I really desiring to own today? Do I want happiness or faithfulness to Him? They will sometimes lead us along the same path, but often will require a choice that is costly. If we have the ultimate goal of pleasing God, the daily choices will be much more clear along the way.
Jesus said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38, NLT)
______________________
Take my life and let it be,
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Amen
- public domain, Francis Havergal
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