WHOSE SUCCESS IS IT?

Just Whose “Success” Is It, Anyway?

In recent months many many people have lost their fortunes in a deepening recession. I have a personal friend who I talked to recently that told me he had lost everything he had , and how his home was in a state of foreclosure. He, like so many “successful” people, rode a wave of prosperity. There are those who like to take credit, and assume it was they themselves who had brilliantly put the deals together in creating wealth. This was also Israel’s assumption, so God chose to discipline Israel:

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.  Hosea 2:8

But that is exactly what we do, is it not? We believe it is our planning, our selling ability, or our talent that brings “success.” Thus all too often we, like Israel tend to take the credit unto ourselves.

So God DISCIPLINED Israel by removing her wealth:

Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.  Hosea 2:9-10

God in His enduring love, then “ALLURED“ Israel back to Himself:

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.  Hosea 2:14

Perhaps He will place us in the “desert” in order to help us reestablish intimacy between us and Himself.

He then “BETROTHED“ her again to Himself:

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.  I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.  Hosea 2:19-20

And finally, He RESTORED Israel:

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.  Hosea 2:23

I don’t know your circumstances, but I do know that God loves us too much to allow us to take credit for any “success” we may experience.

Do we take the credit? I have met many who feel they deserve the credit.