Setting Yourself Up for Spiritual Success

by Heath Rogers

The days of one’s youth are an exciting time of life. A time to discover what is in the world and find one’s place in it. It is also a time to find direction for one’s life. We want our young people to look ahead and plan for their future in this world (get an education, prepare for a career, find a spouse, etc.). It is even more important that young people make plans for their eternal soul (Matt. 16:26).

Success in anything takes effort, whether it be academics, sports, business, or a marriage. Success doesn’t just happen; it isn’t just handed to you.

What are some things a young person can do to set themselves up for spiritual success in the future? Three young people in the Bible leave great examples to be followed.

1. Josiah. This boy became king when he was 8 years old. At the age of 16, “while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David” (2 Chron. 34:1-3). What does it mean to seek the Lord? David had explained this to his son Solomon: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever” (1 Chron. 28:9, emphasis mine - HR).

The decision you make about whether to seek God, to come to know Him, and to develop your own relationship with Him will determine if you are successful spiritually.

2. Ezra. This man was a priest and a scribe who played an important role in the Jews reestablishing themselves in Palestine after the Babylonian Captivity. He was a very successful man, but this was not by accident. Ezra had made an important decision early in his life: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

Ezra “prepared his heart.” This included his entire being. He was “all-in” regarding his future service to God and His people. He sought God’s Law. He read it, familiarized himself with it, and learned how to rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15). This wasn’t a mere academic pursuit, for he was determined to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only (James 1:22). With this good foundation, Ezra was then prepared to teach these statutes and ordinances to God’s people.

3. Daniel. Success also requires us to avoid certain pitfalls and dangers. Daniel did not escape the contaminations of the world by accident: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8). Daniel was probably a teenager when he was taken into captivity, but he did not use his youth as a license to sin. He had decided, before the temptations ever presented themselves, how he was going to react. He was determined to keep himself pure. This choice put him in an influential position to be able to serve God effectively later in life.

How God Deals with Disappointment

Jeff Curtis

The beginning of Exodus chapter 6 shows Moses as being discouraged. He had done what God had told him to do. He had done everything he could for his people. He had attempted to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery, but none of his efforts had succeeded. Pharaoh had spurned him, mocked him, mocked his God, and rejected his request. Worse, Pharaoh had made life harder for the Israelites. As a result, the Israelites – who had once welcomed Moses (4:29-31) – had turned against him (5:19-21). Moses’ bright hope for Israel’s release had been extinguished. He must have been wondering, “Where is God in all this? What happened to those promises?” So, Moses complained to God (5:22-23).

Did you ever feel as though everything you were doing – even what you were trying to do for God – was going wrong? What should you do in such a situation? You should do what Moses did: even though he complained, he made the right choice in taking his problem to God. Then the story turns to what God did. As we look at what God did for Moses, we can find comfort in our own situations. Let’s see how God deals with discouragement by thinking about what God did for Moses.

God did not rebuke Moses. Moses complained to God. However, from God’s standpoint, his complaint didn’t deserve a rebuke. Sometimes we are too timid to approach God. We have to be willing to speak our minds to God, to share with Him our deepest thoughts. The more direct and personal and heartfelt our prayers are, the more meaningful they will be.

God encouraged Moses. God first reassured Moses that his mission would ultimately be successful (6:1). Second, God encouraged him by giving another revelation about Himself (6:2-4). He reminded Moses the He was “the Lord,” the God of the patriarchs. Third, God encouraged him by telling Moses of His concern for the people and repeating the promises He had made to them (6:5-8).

When we get discouraged, we need to remember theses truths: (1) Though we experience temporary and temporal failures, ultimately, if we are faithful to God, permanent and eternal success will be ours. (2) God loves us and has a personal interest in us. We should take courage in His nature – in His love, His compassion, His power, and His might. Our faith regarding the future is not based on our ability, but on God’s strength. (3) God has promised to be with us. We are His covenant people, as were the Israelites, and we can depend on his promises. He will strengthen us so that we can indeed accomplish everything He wants us to do (Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:13).

God met Moses’ need. Moses, in his discouragement, thought he was inadequate for the job; apparently his old feelings of inferiority returned (6:12). Again, the Lord didn’t rebuke Moses. Instead, He met Moses’ need for help and reminded him of his call (6:13). God also will take care of our inadequacies, whether real or imagined. We simply need to remember who is on our side. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:13).

Do you ever get discouraged because of your failures or because of the way others treat you? If you do, you are in good company – the company of Moses and Elijah, for example. What should we do when we are discouraged? (1) Turn to God. Tell Him your problems, and then leave the matter in His hands. (2) Carry out the commission He agave you. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).