SO THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU

We would all do well to analyze what God says regarding the quality of the condition He seeks for us in the days that each of us is given to live upon the earth. His Word explains it to us as a key that we can all use to open doors, saying: “And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers” (Deut. 6:18).

What stands out in this passage is that God is clearly referring, above all, to our experience in this earthly life, not precisely to the one we will live with Him in heaven. In other words, yes: GOD WANTS YOU TO GO TO HEAVEN WITH HIM… BUT HE ALSO WANTS IT TO GO WELL WITH YOU ON EARTH! And what is even more glorious is that He has revealed to us the exact route to enjoy His goodness! What are the things I must know to place ourselves under the “good hand” of God? (Neh. 2:8). Let us hear the voices of several servants of God who wrote about this blessed quality.

IN THE KEY OF BALANCE

Now then: While it is true that God’s desire is to bless our earthly situation, Scripture also clarifies that there is a priority, teaching us that temporal security is a fruit that comes from staying aligned with the heart of God, with all the sincerity and surrender of our own soul. The blessed life, then, has a spiritual secret, which was “unlocked” through Christ to be available to everyone who believes in Him. We only need to keep our inner being conscious that the most important thing always is and will be the spiritual and the eternal. That is the key to enjoying God’s goodness in an excellent balance!

St. Paul commanded it this way, saying: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3).

IN THE WORDS OF MOSES

From the time God gave the Law to Moses, he wrote many maxims that clarified the pattern to follow to progress and advance without limit in life. Two passages in particular explain that it is when we voluntarily incline the affections of our heart toward Him as the Source of everything:

“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. You shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them” (Deut. 28:12-14).

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them” (Deut. 30:19-20).

IN THE WORDS OF JESUS

Although Jesus solemnly warned about the danger of focusing on the temporal, He also made it clear that once we put Him first, He will bless our lives in surprising ways. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

On one occasion, He promised His hardworking disciples something glorious: “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

In fact, the famous “beatitudes” spoken by the Lord are the most vivid example that He wants us to know the path to happiness. But as He Himself said in that Sermon on the Mount: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

IN THE WORDS OF ST. PAUL

What a beautiful summary regarding God’s desire for each of us, His children… that “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” that St. Paul rightly exhorts us to experience (Rom. 12:2).

St. Paul attributed blessings to the Lord. In Acts 14:17, he told those in Lystra that God “did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness”(Acts 14:17). However, in his previous words, he was giving his listeners the key to being blessed by giving all glory to God, “saying: ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them’” (Acts 14:15). Once again… the Bible gives us the key.

IN THE WORDS OF ST. JOHN

The apostle John says the following in his third letter: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).

What tremendous words full of love! While it is true that the apostle expresses them to his friend Gaius, they also fully describe God’s intent for us, who is even better than men! “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:11). I like the condition specified here: “just as your soul prospers,” it says. I am sure this was said as an emphasis that only as our heart increases in spiritual substance is how a greater divine grace “will come and be suitable.”

IN THE WORDS OF JAMES

James teaches us that everything good we are allowed to enjoy in life we owe to our loving Heavenly Father, and we must recognize it as such, giving Him all the glory! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

This perfectly echoes what King Solomon discovered since ancient times, who after observing the path of humans said that “as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart” (Eccl. 5:19-20). We owe everything to Him! And gratitude is a door that keeps the provision flowing.

IN THE WORDS OF PETER

1 Peter 3:10-12 says: “For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil’” (1 Pet. 3:10-12).

Good days! Who doesn’t want that? And not just for ourselves, but for all our loved ones. And in this passage, we were given the formula! “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?” (Luke 11:11).

IN THE CORRECT FOCUS

Why does God want His children to do well? The reason is not only to enjoy a happy temporary pilgrimage on earth but also to be an instrument of His glory while we are here. Although we are the primary object of God’s immeasurable love to receive and enjoy, He also designed us as a channel of His glory to manifest His presence to others. In what ways?

1. To bear witness to the world of how good God’s Way is.
2. To serve humanity, contributing to its restoration.
3. To serve the Body of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Look how clearly these biblical passages state it:

“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2).“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you…” (Deut. 7:6-8). “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

IN THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF GLORY

In which spheres of life can we expect to see this “good fortune” manifested? There are four dimensions in which God wants to show “more glory” toward us, and they are available one by one as we walk in obedience to Him. They are not the same, but all are equally important:

VICTORY. This refers to our spiritual triumph regarding the struggle against sin and the flesh, and our spiritual warfare against the devil. It also includes advancement over personal struggles, such as health, family, sustenance, etc. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

SUCCESS. This refers to the conquest we achieve in our secular life, whatever our field of activity (as a student, homemaker, husband, father or mother, etc.). “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8). “It is good that you grasp this, and also not withdraw your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all [succeed in everything]” (Eccl. 7:18).

BLESSING. This refers to any benefit the Lord sends upon circumstances relative to “the works of our hands,” such as our jobs, projects, businesses, and ventures, etc. “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Deut. 28:8). “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Prov. 16:3).

FAVOR. This refers to the open doors God grants us, giving us grace before men, whether to advance faster, have greater reach, or facilitate some purpose. It also applies to our fruitful service for the kingdom of God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”(Prov. 3:5-6). “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8). “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains” (Col. 4:3).

IN THE MOST GLORIOUS FORMULA FOR LIFE

There are several factors to position yourself for success, blessing, favor, and victory in life. Practice each of them and live your life experience to the fullest alongside the hand of God. What are those secrets? Let’s look at the connection in these passages between a harvest of well-being and the “sowing” or “advance” regarding the life that pleases God:

ASSIGNMENT. Living in the center of God’s perfect will. “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8). “I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper” (Isa. 48:15). “He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22).

SUBJECTION. It is of utmost importance to function under leadership and in spiritual obedience. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry… until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God…” (Eph. 4:11-13). “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Pet. 5:5).

HUMILITY. This is required in very clear passages, such as: “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Prov. 22:4). “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

INTEGRITY. This requirement is evident in the Bible, saying, for example: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord…” (Ps. 24:3-5). “And the Lord said to Jehu, ‘Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation’” (2 Kings 10:30).

HONOR. We must glorify Jesus Christ through everything you do. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). “For those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Sam. 2:30). “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Deut. 5:16). “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9-10).

IN ACTIVATING THE CIRCLE OF VICTORY

How do we deactivate a circle of defeat that has come to bind our lives? Almost everything in life has to do with the Law of Sowing and Reaping. The psalmist said: “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me” (2 Sam. 22:21).

One of the passages that most vividly clarify this life that the Father designed for us is from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus began by unlocking in each statement the formula for it to go well with us (that is, for us to have “good fortune”):

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3-10).

So then, love “the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.” In this way, you will activate victory, success, blessing, and favor from the Father over your life and your household.

SUMMARY

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Ps. 37:3).

Do not forget: “GOD WANTS YOU TO GO TO HEAVEN WITH HIM… BUT HE ALSO WANTS IT TO GO WELL WITH YOU ON EARTH.”