Forgetting And Moving Forward

-September 18, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“…forgetting the those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:13b-14).

Athletes know it, business leaders know it, politicians know it, celebrities know it, yes, we all know it. We can’t live in the past or let it hold us back for the future, whether things bad or good. The devil’s primary purpose is get us down and keep us down, to take us out of the battle, and ruin our lives.

We can’t let the devil win. We all have sins, mistakes, and failures we regret. It was true of the people of the Bible, and it is true of us. I know I do. But we can’t go back and change them. We learn the lessons, draw closer to the Lord, and move on. In boxing terminology, we take punches, get knocked down, take a standing eight count, and but keep on fighting. The devil may win a round or two but He can’t knock us out or win the fight.

We have the Lord Jesus as our trainer, handler, and manager. He is in our corner. He never throws in the towel. He is with all the way. Fights that go the distance can go up to 15 rounds. By the time we teach those last rounds we are exhausted, barely able to stand or move. Life is a 15 round battle. We can’t give up or quit.

Not only can the bad things hold us back, but so can the good things. We start to wish for the “good old days.” Maybe when our strength was better, our health was better, our lives were easier; we were younger, faster, and more carefree. Job said, “Oh, that I were in months past, as in the days when God watched over me; when His lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness; Just as I was in the days of my prime, when the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were around me; When my steps were bathed in cream, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for me (Job 29:2-6).

God never changes, we do; God never moves, we move; God has great plans for us and He uses our trials to make us stronger, wiser, and more fit for His service and for heaven. He challenges us to get up, get going, and keep going; to move forward toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It seems at times overwhelming, but the Lord will make us overcomers by His grace and mercy.

Let us all reach forward, press on, keep going, not looking back, yet not forgetting the lessons and what got us to where we are today. I found a hymn I wasn’t familiar with entitled “Press On,” written by Barney E. Warren. He wrote, “Press on, forever trusting, in faith believing too; in spite of doubt or feeling, God’s word will take us through. Press on to what’s before us, forgetting all the past, the light heav’n so glorious eternally shall last.”

Have blessed day by keeping on for the Lord no matter what may come. Stay safe and healthy.

Looking upward and moving forward,

Dean