Think of God's perspective when judging success and failure

Well, the Christmas and New Year's celebrations have passed, including the television shows reviewing the successes, failures and other events taking place in 2018, much of which wasn't newsworthy when it actually occurred. I suspect most of us also remembered personal successes and failures.

King David was a very successful warrior king who got his start by fighting lions and bears that stole his father's sheep (2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Samuel 17:32-37). Nonetheless, David kept his perspective and acknowledged God had delivered him when he went after the thieving predators. I don't know whether David considered the danger he placed himself in by tangling with lions and bears, but he did know at all times God would always work things out. So he just did what he knew to be right (Daniel 3:16-30; 6:1-28).

David also had failures because of his own sin and, although it had nothing to do with sin, he was told, "No," because his plan wasn't God's plan, which always turns out better (2 Samuel 11:1-19:8; 7:1-29).

Even when God gives us success, we must be careful to not become prideful, because Satan uses that to lead us astray and we're likely to begin having failures (Proverbs 11:2:16:18; 29:23; Habakkuk 2:4; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 22:24, 31-34; Galatians 6:3-4).

Whatever we do, we must remember to try to do it according to God's will and not let past successes or failures hinder our path to eternal life (James 4:13-17; Colossians 3:17; Philippians 3:10-17; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 12:1-3). If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will be completely successful in attaining to the resurrection of the dead and receiving God's goal for us in heaven (Proverbs 16:17; 1 John 2:4-6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). As mentioned, we're

to do everything in Jesus' name and to God's glory remembering that even righteous ends can never justify improper means (1 Corinthians 10:31; Proverbs 16:2-4, 25; Romans 3:8).

This article is based on my three devotionals near the end of 2018. For 2019, I'm reading "The Daily Bible: In Chronological Order" (Harvest House Publishers), which puts everything in - you guessed it - chronological or historical order and context divided into 365 daily readings. I've read this book several times before and highly recommend it. Reading through the Bible in this way helps me keep God's perspective, especially in understanding the Old Testament, which gives the background for the commands God gives in the New Testament for salvation and Christian living.

If you'll do devotional reading every day and follow what God says in the New Testament, you'll find your successes are his blessing and many times your failures are due to his protection (Jeremiah 29:11; Hebrews 12:7-11). This is where we can learn God's perspective and how we will be judged regarding our successes and failures (2 Corinthians 5:10; John 12:44-50).

Happy New Year! I pray that everything works out for you in 2019 better than you had planned because of God's blessings (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]