As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

2 Chronicles 26

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. v5

We must be careful drawing a direct relationship between seeking God and success.  We can say that all success is from God (James 1:17, Deuteronomy 8:18, 1 Chronicles 29:11-12).  However, we cannot say that God will give us success without qualifiers - we do not have a merit-based relationship with God, instead it is grace-based.

God will provide for us what He wants us for us.

We should seek the Lord because we love Him, because He commands us to, and because it provides what nothing else can provide.

See also post yesterday regarding how God promises how we will be blessed and filled.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is full of love and grace for me and You have blessed and filled me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love - I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel.

1 Chronicles 22

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. v12-13

David is "a man after God's heart" and someone whom God loved.

Yet in his guidance for Solomon, David focuses on performance vs the condition of his heart.  I have often focused on my own sons' external condition vs their heart condition.  We must instruct our children that any success we experience is solely because of God's grace and His sovereignty.  This is why God had to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us - because there is nothing we can do to earn God's grace, His blessings, or His love.  God also does not promise a trouble free life - see John 16:33.  If we work hard for anything it should be because it glorifies God through us - not because we expect any gain - see also 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - even though I am broken.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.