The dangers of success

Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes. — Deuteronomy 8:11

Alexandr Solzhenitsyn said that he learned to pray in a Siberian concentration camp because he had no other hope. Before his arrest, when things were going well, he seldom gave God a thought.

Similarly, the Israelites learned the habit of depending on God in the Sinai wilderness where they had no choice; they needed His daily intervention just to eat and drink. But when they finally stood on the banks of the Jordan River, they awaited a more difficult test of faith. After they entered the land of plenty, would they soon forget God?

The Israelites knew little about the seductions of other cultures, having spent their lives in the desert. Moses was more afraid of the coming prosperity than the rigors of the desert — the alluring sensuality, the exotic religions, the glittering wealth. The Israelites might put God behind them and credit themselves for their success (Deut. 8:11, 17).

Ironically, success makes it harder to depend on the Lord. The Israelites did prove less faithful after they moved into the Promised Land. Again and again they turned their hearts to other gods.

Beware of the temptation that success brings. There is grave danger in getting what we want. — Philip Yancey

I blindly ask for what I crave

With haughty heart and will so stout;

He oft denies me what I seek,

But gives me grace to do without. — Anon.

READ: Deuteronomy 8:6-18

There is no failure more disastrous than the success that leaves God out.

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 105-107