By Beholding

What if you were a businessperson who wanted to experience the most success possible in your particular industry? Once you have committed to a life of prayer, dedication to God, and diligent labor,

what other practice might be of value? Do you think it would be beneficial to surround yourself with other successful business people?

Do you think it would be beneficial to study the practices of those who have excelled before you? The answer is obvious.

Those who are in pursuit of ultimate business success certainly seek God’s face daily and seek standards after which to model. Is not the opposite also true? There are many who long to live fruitful lives, yet what they regularly behold leads to destructive ends. If I make a habit of beholding violence for entertainment purposes, I will probably model that thinking or behavior. If I make a habit of focusing on my life failures, I will probably continue to be defeated. Conversely, if I make a habit of beholding positive outcomes and, ultimately, the love of God for me, I will become a product of that reality.

The Bible is full of examples of people who struggled and seemed never to get their spiritual footing. But for the purposes of our discussion, we will focus on a compelling example of one in whom the Lord demonstrated the greatest power.

When you have an opportunity, pay special attention to the first several chapters in the book of Exodus. You will discover that when God has a plan for His people, all they need to do in order to achieve the greatest success is trust Him and follow wherever He leads. For example, Moses had many aweinspiring encounters with God. After one very special encounter he was visibly different. “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. . . . And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face” (Exodus 34:29, 30, 33).

Moses invested so much time in intimate contact with God that his countenance reflected His light, much like the moon reflects the brightness of the sun. Much can be said about this, but let's draw one simple lesson from it: If we choose daily to invest quality time praying, closely studying the life of Christ from Scripture, and seeking opportunities to help others to do the same, God will make such an impact on our lives that those who knew us as we once were will marvel. They will take notice that we have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Moreover, they will give glory to God for His power to change lives (Matthew 5:16).

Are you struggling with circumstances that are too great for you to handle? Take courage, dear friend. There is a God in heaven whose face you may daily seek and whose love you may daily experience. Life does indeed present many challenges, but always remember to “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. . . . Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).