THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and identified Himself. Moses responded with fear, and then worship. When God told Moses He was sending him to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses said, “Who am I, that I should go?”
God’s response to Moses’s question? “I will be with you,” (Exodus 3).
Similarly, God appeared to Gideon and told him He was sending Gideon to save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Gideon asked, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
Again, God didn’t answer Gideon’s question as Gideon may have expected. God simply said, “I will be with you,” (Judges 6).
After Moses died, the Lord commanded Joshua to lead the people. The Bible doesn’t tell us Joshua’s response, but his fear is implied in the repeated assurances by the Lord to Joshua. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.” “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1).
It didn’t matter who Moses was, or Gideon. Nor did it matter who Joshua was. Their strength or abilities were not addressed. What mattered in each case was the presence of God.
Throughout Scripture, the promise of God’s presence is given to sustain His people. Jacob fled his home when his brother vowed to kill him. God met him in the desert and said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go,” (Genesis 28:15).
When Joseph was sold into slavery, then imprisoned in Egypt, Scripture reminds us several times, “The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Joseph’s story is given in chapters 37-50 of Genesis.)
God promised His people through Isaiah, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. . . Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” (Isaiah 43:2, 5). The Bible gives us literal examples. God enabled the Israelites to walk through the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and through the River Jordan (Joshua 3). When Daniel’s three friends were tossed into a fiery furnace, they came through unharmed because the Lord was with them in the fire (Daniel 3).
When Jesus sent His disciples to carry out the Great Commission, He assured them He would be with them until the end of the age. He likewise assures us He will never leave us or abandon us.
Jesus warned us we would have trouble in this world, but He would be with us by His Spirit. He would not abandon us or leave us as orphans. He has overcome the world. When we are in Christ, His power is working in our lives.
The presence of God is a promise repeated throughout Scripture. One of the names for Jesus is “Emmanuel”–God with us. It doesn’t matter who we are, or what we face, the important reminder for all of us is the battles we face do not depend on our strength, but on the presence of God. He is almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever present.
The secret of success in life, is knowing and depending on God.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you ; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Have you experienced this secret of success? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Fathromi Ramdlon from Pixabay
Thank you for reminding me of God’s promise to be with me even today.
You are welcome, Kathy. The assurance of God’s presence is a promise we can cling to. Thank you for reading
Great blog! Thank you for the reminder that God is ALWAYS with us.
Thank you, Ethan. God is faithful.
Thank you for sharing, Phyllis. I’m so grateful God indwells and hems me in – and that He goes before and with me. Knowing He never forsakes and never leaves gives peace.
Absolutely. Thank you, Joni.