Did you know that God wants you to succeed?

Now before you dismiss this post as some sort of “health and wealth” mumbo jumbo, you need to know that I’m not a big fan of such teachings. I don’t think our prosperity is God’s biggest concern or goal. I also don’t believe it’s any kind of predictable measure of our faith. God causes the rain to fall on the good and the evil, like it or not.

But today I was reminded that God is not intimidated by, repulsed by, or careless with our successes. In fact, He wants us to succeed.

Of course, my idea of success and God’s estimation of coming out on top can be polar opposites. I don’t think God is interested in me winning for winning’s sake. I don’t think He owes me success or prosperity in reward of my obedience or allegiance. And I certainly don’t think He deserves my whiny complaints when I don’t feel like I’ve gotten my due.

However, God certainly can and does set me up for success. He occasionally allows someone to see my good deeds and take notice. He sometimes allows me to increase in favor with others. God often chooses to bless me with good reward, sweet praise, or public accolades.

He does the same for you. Depending on the kind of day you had yesterday or today, you may not think He does. But He does. If your heart is devoted to Him and you’re walking with Him in humility, I’m sure of it. He does.

But why does God allow us to succeed, even ordain it at times?

If you’re walking humbly with the Lord it won’t bother you that the reason He sometimes (often?) allows us to succeed, to do something right, to gain a little notoriety, is so that, in the end, He is glorified and honored. It’s all about drawing attention to Him.

Today I read in 1 Kings 10 the account of the queen of Sheba visiting the most wise King Solomon. If you’re unfamiliar with the story I suggest you take a quick two minutes to read it (vs. 1-13). You’ll be impressed with just how much Solomon impressed this rich and powerful queen. In her eyes, he was a real winner.

The queen traveled a long distance to put Solomon to the test. She had heard his praises from others, but could this mortal man really live up to his good press? First she grilled him with tough questions. I’m imagining that she threw world event, political, and hot topic questions at him. Katie Couric has nothing on this woman. She didn’t only find out if Solomon was well read, but she made sure he understood what he’d read.

Satisfied with the answers to her stumping questions, the queen moved on to matters of the heart. Ah, what pressure! There’s not a man I’m familiar with who would want to spend hours talking heart issues with a woman. What a mine field! But Solomon didn’t bat an eye. With the wisdom and understanding he had received from God, he was able to handle even the most sensitive questions.

The result?