What if you had a faulty understanding of success?

If so, you’d probably have the wrong goals. And each day you’d probably miss the mark.

In Deuteronomy 8:2 Moses was speaking to the Hebrews after they had wandered through the wilderness for forty years: “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

As they journeyed through the wilderness, “success” was daily, humble faithfulness. It was about living each day trusting that God was who he said he was, and that he would do what he said he was going to do. It included humility—because they needed to trust that God was in charge (not them), and also the faith to keep his commands.

That continues to be a great understanding of success: daily, humble faithfulness.

As we wander into an uncertain future, things will continue to evolve, and our directions will most likely shift. Plan A will become Plan B, and then Plan C… and eventually Plan J!

But we are less likely to be disappointed and more likely to keep our eyes fixed on our eternal and gracious God if we have a better understanding of what it means to be successful in the first place.

At the end each day we can measure our mettle with questions like: ‘Did I honour God today?’ and ‘Did I care for others today?’ Those are goals worth shooting for—no matter what life throws your way.

Success is daily, humble faithfulness.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Today’s devotional is connected to my latest sermon: “Wandering into uncertainty successfully.” It’s based on Deuteronomy 8. Click here to access YouTube or audio-only download options.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.