I Press On
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What has 2019 been like for you? How about this past decade?
For most of us, it has been a mixed bag. Some highs, some lows.
I always think of Paul’s philosophy of life as outlined in Phil 3.12-14
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
make every effort= press on . I pursue= I press on.
Paul had a philosophy of keeping his eye on the prize and pressing on.
That got me to thinking “I wonder if there are other instances where someone talked about pressing on in the Bible.
I was reminded of
1 Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds.
2 He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence.
3 Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
I’ve always been fascinated by the book of Hosea. God’s people Israel have gone in to idol worship so badly that God says they are like a harlot, running around with other gods.
To illustrate this point, God tells Hosea to marry a woman who goes off into prostitution. After she has been used up and no longer carries any worth, God has Hosea buy her from the slave auction and take her back as his bride. God says this is what he desired to do with Israel, to buy her back and make her His bride again, even though she has drifted far away from her love relationship with God.
When you come to chapter 6 it is an appeal for Israel to return to God, knowing that He will be faithful to love on His people and restore them.
This morning, I want to challenge you as you close the year and start a fresh one in just a few days:Make a fresh start with the Lord and let Him begin a fresh work in your life.
Notice that in these verses there are 2 pleas from the Lord each with a promise.
A Plea to Return to the Lord
A Plea to Return to the Lord
1 Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds.
A Promise of Healing
A Promise of Healing
1 Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds.
2 He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence.
Sometimes our problems come from the Lord’s correction, and sometimes they don’t, but I believe every tear, every wound, is a chance for us to draw near to the Lord.
Sometimes our hearts a pliable and quick to understand that God is our refuge, other times it takes longer for God to really get a hold of us.
Notice that in verse 2 there is a statement about 2 or 3 days. This is poetic way of saying, it won’t last much longer, before the relief comes.
5 For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.
A Plea to “Dig In” With the Lord
A Plea to “Dig In” With the Lord
3 Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
KJV has follow on in verse 3, strive in the HCSB, and press on in the ESV.
Let us know, let us press on to know.
This is not a one time even but an ongoing challenge. Keep knowing the Lord deeper and deeper more and more. Press on, strive… don’t stop. don’t give up, and don’t give in.
A Promise of the Lord’s Presence
A Promise of the Lord’s Presence
3 Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
Just as certain as the sun comes up, God will show up. Press on
And when God shows up, it will be like the spring rain. He makes everything fresh and new. He makes the dormant grow. He makes that which had fallen by the way, spring to life.