PRESS

I PRESS toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:14

Paul pressed “toward the goal”: he was focused, “forgetting”, and faithful. He focused on the finish line – “this one thing I do” (v.12-13); allowing no divided attention or worldly distractions. He knew he could not change the past, but had to “forget” it and move on. He was faithful to the end in the pursuit of the eternal prize (2Tim.4:7-8). With your desires defined as being within the boundaries of God’s Will, there must be no holding back; but an unquenchable Drive for your dreams. You must “press” – pursue, push, persist, strain, and follow through – right to the finishing line! To press into your desired future, you must put your ‘yesterdays’ behind and be a ‘Tomorrow Thinker’! No good driver drives down the street staring into the rear-view mirror. An occasional glance may be required or permitted, but your eyes should primarily be focused on what’s ahead.

Most people in the world today are without dreams, goals, or plans; they simply live one day at a time and absorb whatever life brings their way. For some, the greatest goal in life is to get out of bed each morning and slave through the days for the next pay check. That is not the divine intention. Ponder on these examples:

• Isaac pressed on from Gerar right through to Rehoboth (Gen.26:6; 22). He pressed through the Ezek of contention and the Sitnah of opposition (Gen.26:20-21). He encountered temporary inconveniences, losses, seemingly wasted efforts, extra exertions to dig new wells, but pressing faith brought him to Rehoboth , where God made room for him (Heb.6:12).

• Joseph’s Vision pressed through seasons of Silence, Slavery, and Sentence, right to the realms of Shining Significance. His trials began when he declared his dreams and provoked the brethren’s bitterness (Gen.37:8). They despised him and his dreams, resulting in opposition, deception, oppression, and rejection (Gen.37: 20-28). He was stripped of his coat of many colours – his dignity. Yet, Joseph pressed through from the Pit to Potiphar’s house, where he faced temptation and false accusation (Gen.39:7-20). Rather than bow to sin, he demonstrated the dominion of purity, and was lifted, after long years in Prison, to the Palace (Psa.105:6-24).

• David pressed through from Bethlehem, to Adullam, to Hebron, and finally to Zion – from glory to glory (2Cor.3:18). He began as a courageous shepherd boy and faithful son who learned to care for the sheep responsibly and consistently on a daily basis. He pressed on to Adullam, a place of great need, but where ironically, the anointing attracted a lot of needy people to come to him for help (1Sam.22: 1-2). He pressed on to Hebron, the higher ground of higher faith, vision, covenant relationships, and greater commitment (2Sam.2:1-4). Zion was his final destination, from where the Lord sends the rod of His Strength (Psa.110:3)!

• For him to become the possessor of the double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha had to press on from Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho, and ultimately across Jordan (2Kgs. 2: 1-12). The woman with the issue of blood “pressed” through the intimidating “press” to obtain her miraculous healing (Mk.5:25-34).

• Motivated by the Joyful Vision of Glory that was beyond Golgotha, Jesus pressed through the torture and shame of the Cross, right on to the Resurrection Morn and His eternal Glorification (Heb.12:2).

God’s Kingdom demand a pressing into: “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is PRESSING into it” (Lk.16:16). The easiest thing to do is to give up and quit the race of life. But for those who are called according to God’s Purpose, the “press” will not permit. The inner drive will keep you going: No turning back. No looking back. No regrets. No giving up. Press through the press...and all the pressures!