Press On

Sometimes God gives us gifts that are difficult for us to enjoy or appreciate so we misuse them. He graces us with a day of rest apart from the turmoil but instead of enjoying His soothing presence we fill the quiet with all sorts of things and mindless activities. He sends a friend to encourage us when we are blue, but because it isn’t exactly who we want to be with we brush them off and miss the blessng. He givss us opportunities to forgive but we cling to our bitterness and hold onto our grudges. He offers us a chance to be taught something new, but we are often too proud to learn. The list can go on and on.

We need to recognize how often we mistrust the Lord by rejecting His gracious gifts because they are not on our terms. When we tell Him how disappointed we are, He meets us in our honesty, mends us with His grace and pours out the oil of His love all over us. Even if things are still not in alignment there is something about the Lord believing in us and His encouragement towards us that gives us the faith to press on and allows us to be able to go forward.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 (New International Version)
2 "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Lyrics to Press On : By Seleh

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty open our eyes so that we can see Your gifts in the midst of every situation. Help us to have the faith that in our weakest moments You are our God, You Alone Are Lord. Remind us Heavenly Father that by staying focused on You and trusting You that "if we press on You will clear our eyes and give us the strength to recover and once again be restored". This I pray in Your name, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.