THE SECRET TO SUCCESS. 069

This post will be a continuation of yesterday’s post so if you haven’t read that one -it’s only about 3 minutes of a read- I think it’ll do you well to read it before you read this one.

I could have added the thoughts that I will post today on yesterday’s post, but I want to keep these posts short.

The following quote is a perfect summation of yesterday’s ideas.

The Spirit of God inspired Joshua’s prayer, that evidence might again be given of the power of Israel’s God. Hence the request did not show presumption on the part of the great leader. Joshua had received the promise that God would surely overthrow these enemies of Israel, yet he put forth as earnest effort as though success depended upon the armies of Israel alone. He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power. {PP 509.1}

What a powerful and audacious prayer. I would think that such a prayer would be presumptuous. However, when we look closely, we can see the science and mechanics of what happened. Let us break it down point by point.

1. The Spirit of God inspired Joshua’s prayer THAT EVIDENCE might again be given to the power of Israel’s God. – Our work and thus our prayers should be centered on making the power of God known. This is one safeguard against presumption.

2. Joshua’s prayer was based on a promise from God. – This could mean many things. Say for example I really want a job as a firefighter, did God specifically promise me that job? Probably not, BUT maybe, this is where spirituality and a relationship with God gets personal. Beyond that though one thing I KNOW FOR SURE that God has promised me is victory over temptation. This means that in the fight against temptation. God will PUT THE HEAVENS ON PAUSE if it means that temptation does not overcome us. In light of this what excuse do we have to sin?

3. YET, this part is deep, even though God had promised, Joshua PUT FORTH AS EARNEST EFFORT as though SUCCESS DEPENDED ON HUMAN STRENGTH ALONE.

4. Please read number 3 again.

5. After he did all that human energy could do, HE CRIED in faith for DIVINE AID, relying most implicitly upon the Almighty arm, laying prostrate in prayer for hours.

6. Read number 5 again.

7. Put number 3 and 5 together and you have the key to success.

What is the secret of success?

The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort.

How may we access this power?

The people of prayer are the people of power.

Father pleaseeeee teach us this, make us know it God please.

IJN,

amen

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