Whatever He Does Shall Prosper

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II



Whatever He Does Shall Prosper


One of the most beloved words among all people, at all times and in all places, is the word “success” or “successful.” It is a word that carries deep meaning, for behind it stands effort, diligence, sleepless nights, attention, focus, longing, dreams, and certainly time, money, and labor. Of course, we do not mean only academic success, but rather success in all its forms and manifestations throughout the journey of life: academically, socially, familially, physically, professionally, spiritually, economically, and so on.

It is noteworthy that the very first psalm, which serves as the introduction to the Book of Psalms and which we pray every morning in the Prime Hour (Morning Prayer), mentions this word in reference to the man who is blessed and righteous in his life, behavior, and purity. He is likened to a tree planted by streams (channels) of water (grace), which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither (i.e., evergreens), and “whatever he does shall prosper.” This is the blessing of the Lord and His grace poured out upon a person.

Success is a lifelong journey, not merely a phase of life. It therefore requires three elements:

First: God, who grants grace, help, and a strong hand.

Second: Time, meaning valuing and using time with order and discipline.

Third: A committed person, for success does not come by chance or luck.

If things are thus, then success has a family of its own: a father who is hard work, a mother who is hope and optimism, a son who is continuous diligence, and a daughter who is discipline and commitment. As the Psalm says, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5, NKJV).

I often tell young people that the best thing in the world is “studying,” and they strongly object. Then I say: “Alright, the best thing is exams then,” and they object again. Then I say: “Alright, the best thing is success,” and they cheer in joy, delight, and agree enthusiastically. At that point, I explain to them that success is born of exams, and exams are born of studying. So studying is the path to success and the realization of dreams.

I want to emphasize that success requires supporting factors in order to be achieved. One of the most important is encouragement and instilling confidence in the individual. The encouragement of parents, teachers, servants, and clergy in the Church is one of the factors of success—perhaps the most important—as it allows a person to trust in themselves and in their efforts.

I recall when I was called to service as a monk in the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, and after I was ordained a priest, I went to the late Abba Sarabamon, Bishop and Abbot of the monastery, and shared with him my fears about serving in the world. He said to me, “You are capable, Abouna.” These few words filled me with energy, strength, hope, and self-confidence. I do not exaggerate when I say the echo of those words still rings in my ears.

Therefore, I urge all educators to constantly encourage every person and to refrain from breaking spirits, bullying, belittling others, or predicting failure—all of which are deeply discouraging and may affect a person negatively for a lifetime.

There are many fields of success: academic success, or professional success, like that of Joseph the Righteous, of whom it is said he was successful because the Lord was with him (Genesis 39:2), or the Prophet Daniel, who was told, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” (Daniel 10:19).

There is also the success of virtue and spiritual life, like David the Prophet, the sweet hymnist of Israel and author of the comforting psalms, and Saint Abba Abraam, friend of the poor, who became an example of generosity through his famous saying: “No sadness, no want.”

Also, the success of repentance and spiritual striving, as seen in the life of Saint Paul the Apostle, who spent the first half of his life far from Christ and even persecuted Christians, but became in the second half a powerful ambassador, apostle, and evangelist. Likewise, Saint Moses the Strong with his powerful repentance.

Among the great examples of success in the Bible is Nehemiah, who prayed for success: “O Lord, I pray, please let Your servant prosper this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (Nehemiah 1:11). When his enemies opposed him, he said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:20).

Success requires faithfulness in little things so that a person may enjoy greater blessings. It requires pure conduct and a heart that believes that God’s gift, in any form, is always the best for him.

I congratulate all our sons and daughters who have succeeded and excelled in their academic paths, as well as those successful in their spiritual and professional lives. I wish for them continued progress on the journey of success, remembering the saying of Saint Augustine: “I placed my foot upon the top of the world when I became afraid of nothing and desired nothing from it.”

Congratulations on your success.