Have you ever met anyone who wanted to be a failure? Someone who looked for ways to be unsuccessful or rejected? A person who would wake up in the morning and say, “Well, I wonder what I can do today to mess things up?”

Probably not. In fact, most are just the opposite. They want to succeed, to be accepted, to make a positive contribution to themselves and others. Millions of dollars are invested annually by people who want to get ahead of others, make it “to the top of the corporate ladder,” attend training seminars or get a promotion.

If they knew a proverb or two from Solomon, they may have an edge on others: “My son,” he wrote, “do not forget my teaching. But keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Here, once again, we find a negative and a positive statement together: “Do not forget” and “keep my commandments.”

This is one of the many “if/thens” found in Scripture: “If we do what God asks us to do, then He will guarantee us success.” It’s not about forgetting a verse of Scripture or not knowing the details of a particular event. Rather, it is to know and disregard His commandments, worship other gods, not to honor Him and not to live in fear of Him.

If our hearts are centered on God’s Word and, and if we are faithful to Him in all things, then He, in a very real sense, is obligated to reward us. We can hold Him to His Word. If there is any one we can trust, it’s God.

Prayer: Lord, increase our faith to trust You and Your Word, knowing that You will honor us if we honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:1, 2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.