The Key to God-Honoring Success

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, certainly now you would have sent me off empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and my hard work, and He issued His verdict last night. - Genesis 31:42

Jacob, when his uncle Laban asked him why he had departed Haran so quickly, replied (in part) as seen above. As sly and crafty as Jacob was, he knew that without God's help, he not only would have been robbed by his uncle, he couldn't have left him at all!

As he made his way back home to Canaan, Jacob believed that God was the One who was responsible for his accumulated riches and blessings. He had worked hard and he had been faithful, but he was convinced that God alone had allowed him to prosper.

Working hard for God and remaining faithful to Him are necessary for success in His service, but without His blessing, little (of enduring value) will ultimately be accomplished. So, work hard and remain faithful, but you will only know His blessing if (and when) you give Him all the glory.

We failed, but in the good providence of God, apparent failure often proves a blessing. - Robert E. Lee