As students, I’m sure the first few things that comes to mind when the phrase “academic excellence” is mentioned are nine A1s, scholarships, a GPA average of 4.0 and being on the Dean’s list – better still if we are featured in the newspaper for coming out tops at a national level. While these things are good things to desire, I want to share about an academic excellence that is all that, and much more.

To me, academic excellence is not just about getting top grades. It is also about enjoying the subjects that we study, finding favour with our teachers and peers, and being able to strike a healthy balance between school and our personal lives. Sounds too good (and too difficult) to be true? Well, thank God that walking this out is a journey taken with Jesus.

Genesis 39:2
“The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man…”

We read about Joseph and his successes and the Bible is very explicit in giving the reason for this – “The Lord was with Joseph”. In the same way, Jesus is the good shepherd who never leaves us nor forsakes us, and His presence alone brings us success in everything that we do. Joseph experienced this firsthand. It didn’t matter that he started out as a slave with nothing but the clothes on his back to his name. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man”. It didn’t matter that he was a prisoner locked in a cell. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man”. When he finally became the second most powerful man in all of Egypt, “the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man”.

In the same way, it doesn’t matter that you feel like you’re a slave to your studies right now. The Lord is with you, and you are a successful student. It doesn’t matter that you feel imprisoned by bad grades. The Lord is with you, and you are a successful student. As you keep on being conscious that Jesus is truly with you in all that you do, it is only a matter of time before you see the manifestations of academic success. This is a kind of academic success goes beyond just getting good grades. It comes with a grace; an ease. It does not come with stress and neither does it take away your time from your family or ministry. This is the God-kind of success.

Psalms 1:3
“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

As we, like trees, just feed on the water of His Word and let ourselves be refreshed by His presence, we will see the fruits of academic success in good time. And when the Bible says that “whatever he does shall prosper”, it means exactly that. It does not say that whatever he does correctly, or whatever he does properly. It simply states “whatever he does”! And so whatever paper we write, whatever questions we answer, whatever presentations we make, or anything else that we do, will prosper! This is the amazing grace and favour of God upon our lives.

A friend once told me that he believes that there is glory that mediates between his examination paper and the eyes of marker. This is truly believing that Jesus is all the favour we need to get the grades we do not deserve.

Having said that, it is not that we do not have to put in the effort to study. I believe that as students, God has given us the grace to study. He has given us a genuine curiosity for the subjects we are taught in school, and this allows us to adopt a learning posture towards our studies. I believe there is true humility in this as we go for our classes and tell the Lord, “Teach me today, Lord”.

Daniel 1:17
“ As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom…”

Just like Daniel and his three friends in the Bible, God will give us knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. Yes, this includes knowledge and skill in A-Math, Chemistry, English, Chinese, Economics, Physics, Computing, Sociology, Engineering, etc. Whatever you are studying, it is included. And the Bible continues saying that the king found Daniel “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm”. And so it shall be for you. With Jesus by your side and guiding you, you will have ten times the knowledge and skill of your peers!

Let us be at rest, knowing that our wisdom and success is found in Jesus and Him alone. We will not trust our arm of flesh, and upon His word we’ll stand!

Ephraim Lin

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