Deuteronomy 8:17-18 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Our Singapore society has often put emphasis on success due to the work of our own hands. While there is nothing wrong with the statement of working hard, it is the meritocratic mindset of self-sufficiency that is likely to bring about pride that this verse in Deuteronomy warns us against.
In short, we can erroneously think that it is all about us and how we have set ourselves up for success.
Every part of the success that we experience begins with God setting us up for it. The word “power” given in this verse comes to mean “might, strength, capacity to produce”. It is a reminder that even the efforts that we invest towards our success are derived from the very potential that He placed within us.
When we think about what it means to succeed, we are looking at connections, abilities, opportunities, timing, and favour working in tandem to bring about success; and He is the one who brings us into the alignment of these 5 factors because He is good.
God wants you to succeed. Trust and wait upon Him.