Different people in various ways define success. Success to some is the accumulation of goods. To another success may be academic achievement. And yet to another, success may be linked to the number of successful relationships in his life. Although one may enjoy success on several different levels, if he is not in a right relationship with God (Mk. 16:16), he cannot truly say that he is successful in the most important endeavor of all (Mark 8:36,37).

Joshua, the son of Nun, was a successful man. He was both the assistant and successor of Moses (cf. Jos. 1:1; Num. 27:18-23). He was a man of faith and trust (Num. 14:6-10; Jos. 24:15). He was a great military mind (cf. Ex. 17:13, Jos. 8,12). He was the one who would lead the people into the Promised Land allotting to each tribe its territory (Jos. 11:23). He was given a difficult task to carry out (Jos 1:2,6) yet he did it with skill and grace. In every way, Joshua was a success.

In the first chapter of Joshua, the Lord set forth the basics or ingredients for Joshua’s success. If Joshua were to adhere to the instruction therein he would enjoy "good success" (Jos. 1:8). These same instructions will allow us to stand successfully before God as well. Consider that the Lord informed Joshua that his success would be dependent upon…

1. Choosing Proper Role Models (1:1,2). Moses had been a faithful servant of God and a great prophet (Num. 12:3; Deu. 34:10). If Joshua were to be successful in the same role, he would need to mimic the strengths of Moses. This he did. At the end of the book that bears his name, he is referred to as "the servant of the Lord" (Jos.24:29). If we will follow in the steps of our Lord (1 John 2:6), faithful men of the Bible (1 Cor. 11:1) as well as godly elders, deacons, preacher, Bible class teachers and members we can have good success as well.
2. Knowing What It Was that He Sought To Accomplish (1:2,6). Joshua had a God-given goal to achieve. He would be the one who would lead the people into the land of Canaan. This was to be His focus and mission. Our focus and mission is to glorify God in all we do (1 Cor. 10:31; Isa. 43:7) that we might enter spiritual Canaan (cf. Heb. 4:9; Rev. 14:13). This is made possible when we understand what our goal is and that it can only be accomplished through single-eyed devotion (cf. Phi. 3:13,14).
3. Trusting God No Matter The Situation (1:3-5). Joshua had big shoes to fill. He was assigned to do what Moses could not accomplish. How would he pull off such a feat? He would do it by trusting in the Lord to carry Him through. We too can have the same confidence that we can be pleasing to God in every situation if we will obediently trust in Him (Prov. 3:5,6). Whatever God would have us to do is possible (Phi. 4:13). He is for us (Rom. 8:31). Therefore let us trust that by His grace we can carry out our mission of faithful living (Rev. 2:10).

There are several other things, which Lord willing we will discuss in the next article that helped lead to Joshua’s success. However these three help us to understand how to stand before God successfully. Let us therefore determine to follow the example of godly individuals as we seek to do the Father’s will. While all the while, trusting in Him to see us through. These items lead to real success!