Some people think that they can succeed without God. Check out what Isaiah says:
“You have forgotten the God of your salvation…
therefore, though you plant pleasant plants…
though you make them grow on the day that you plant them…
the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain”Isaiah 16:10-11
Here, God is describing what happens when people forget their Maker. He’s not denying that they will have some immediate success. He says that their plants grow “on the day that [they] plant them.” (indicating fast, immediate results).
But these fast, immediate results were done without God’s help (as the first part indicates).
Ultimately, the reckless and worship-less self-dependence leads to fruit that won’t last. God has his eye on humankind and despises pride and therefore, the work of pride.
And so, their harvest will “flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain.”
Lasting fruit and success comes from dependence and worship to God, not one’s efforts. And fast and immediate results are no indicator of success; longevity is.
