Pressing On

Pressing On

by David Brenneman 

Sometimes life certainly goes places that you never expected it to go.  Sometimes pressing on is all that you can do because that's all there is to do.  

King David was on the run a lot.  He often had time to think about how incredulous his situation was.  Named King in place of Saul yet it would be years before he actually would reign.  

Joseph was at home one day and within a day, sold off by his own family into slavery.  

Noah was told that end of all things was before the Lord and he was to build the Ark.  Little did he know it would be over a hundred years later that he would use it.

That storm that I've mentioned driving through last year was an exercise in pressing on.  

We press on in one of two ways.  Either we push ourselves to keep going or God takes us by the hand and pulls us through.  

The valley of the shadow of death isn't a vacation resort nor is it any place to stop for a brief respite. 

Life takes unexpected twists and turns all the time.  We can't anticipate everything. We can hope for one thing and God allows or initiates something else we never saw coming. 

Trusting in the Lord at times like this is paramount.  It was interesting to read the verse of the day today as 1 Samuel 16:7 NASB "But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”"

We read through the Psalms of David confessing the same thing of how the Lord looks at the heart.  

In the Gospels we read of why Jesus wouldn't trust Himself to man...He knew what was in the heart of man.  

This morning is a painful one for me, but, Jesus is still Jesus, and He’s still making a way, still encouraging me to press on.

Philippians 3:14 NASB "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB "Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

That one part "let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus", that part means pressing on.  It means regardless of understanding why things happen or are allowed to happen we keep our eyes only on Jesus.  We are not God to where we understand the hearts of mankind.  

Praying is where I must go and praying is what I will do.  That's what the Father did in the Prodigal Son's case.  Every single day because hope always exists while people are still alive. Pressing on in prayer.  

I know not what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.  

I am and always will be a big fan of Charley Pride.  One of his gospel songs "This Highway Leads to Glory" is fitting to the idea of running the race well. It's fitting to not giving into the world or the world's ideas on success.

"I remember when I was a little boy

Down on an ole country farm
We'd go to church on Sunday and I'd hear the preacher say
If you want to see my Jesus you gotta stay on the King's highway

This highway leads to glory but it's no easy ride
You'll find all kind of exits can throw you off your stride
Some will lead to fortune and others lead to fame
Some will lead you so far wrong you won't return again

Oh you just stay between the white lines
Obey all the right signs
Keep your eyes open all the time
Oh you just stay between the white lines
Never pass o're the yellow line
And you'll get to heaven right on time

Satan's on this highway he walks on every side
Tryin' to flag you down don't give him a ride
He will try to stop you at just any cost
You may stop too long and your soul maybe lost

Oh you just stay between the white lines
Obey all the right signs
Keep your eyes open all the time
Oh you just stay between the white lines
Never pass o're the yellow line
And you'll get to heaven right on time
Oh yes now you'll get to heaven right on time"

We are easily wounded and easily deceived.  Adam and Eve had perfect brains that used all of their brain capacity. They still sinned.  We at best are using 3 to 6 percent of our brain capacity.  Understanding doesn't come naturally. Wisdom is only wisdom when it's from God through prayer.  

Pressing on is often difficult but necessary.  The road before us is for us to travel.  We go where our Shepherd says. Whereas it would be always fantastic to have like-minded people with us on that journey, sometimes we won't have that. 

Pray on it , Pray in it, Pray through it....