Successfully successful

February 9, 2007

By William E. Richardson

“Then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8, NKJV).

What if young David killing Goliath was a modern-day event? He’d certainly get his “15 minutes of fame.” His success would make him an overnight media sensation. David’s face would grace the covers of the leading news magazines. David fan clubs would spring up. The David Sling would be the latest must-have Christmas toy. There would likely be a David-the-giant-killer Web site.

But the real issue wouldn’t be how the world would handle David’s success, but how he would handle it today. David’s responses to the raves of his own day help us know. First Samuel 17 and 18 are a blueprint for what David would do in the 21st century and an example we can follow.

When successful, David chose his friends wisely. Milestones of success sometimes bring new people into our lives. When David became Israel’s latest national hero, he gained a new best friend. He didn’t choose from among the people singing flattering songs about him. His new best friend was another young man known for military exploits. Jonathan didn’t seek to stroke David’s ego or bask in his sunlight. He sought to help David be his best.

When successful, David chose his actions wisely. King Saul rewarded David’s military success. David received from Saul his daughter’s hand in marriage and an important position in the army. The new popular song of the day called David a better warrior than the king. All pretty heady stuff for a shepherd boy. Yet, David, highly promoted and praised, did not become prideful. At each turn, he acted wisely (1 Samuel 18:5,14,30).

When successful, David chose his defense wisely. David discovered success brings both friends and enemies. Saul became envious of David. The king attempted different ploys to kill him. They all failed. Rather than fight back with weapons, David defended himself with integrity. He remained true to the trait that had made him successful: living to honor God. David had stood against Goliath with God-given ability for one reason — to defend God’s honor (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

Success thrust David into the limelight, yet that didn’t change who he was. He went on to live a full life of success for God. After his life ended, David became remembered as a man whose heart followed the desires of God’s heart (Acts 13:22).

David’s choices for handling success still work in the 21st century. When we make David’s choices our choices — choosing our friends wisely, choosing our actions wisely, and choosing our defense wisely — we’ll not only be successful; we’ll be successfully successful.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.