I was traveling recently out west and saw a sign and the landscape of the country behind me in the rear view mirror. How time flies and how many of the good things in life pass so quickly without being able to fully appreciate.
Also the road ahead still has many new and wonderful events to come on down the road. So this got me thinking" forget what lies behind AND PRESS ON to what lies ahead!"
I was reading a sermon by Charles Spurgeon in which he comments on Phil 3:13-14
ONWARD!
"Paul’s statements in the Text call us to look at him under four aspects—
first, as forming a just estimate of his present condition: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.”
Secondly, as placing his past in its proper position: “Forgetting the things which are behind.”
Thirdly, as aspiring eagerly to a more glorious future: “Reaching forth unto those things which are before.” And fourthly, as practically putting forth every exertion to obtain that which he desired: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14)
It is good to have a humble opinion, and to stay alert in our daily battle against sin and have a " just estimate" of our present condition. (We have not yet attained, are not already perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties, and graces, and comforts)Spurgeon comments-
"Many of us are exceedingly good-tempered when nobody provokes us; some are wonderfully patient because they have a sound constitution, and have no racking pains to endure; and others are exceedingly generous because they have more money than they need.
A ship’s seaworthiness is never quite certain till she has been out at sea! The grand thing will be to be sound before the Living God in the day of trial. I pray every Believer here to get off his high horse, and to remember that he is, “Naked and poor and miserable” apart from Christ—and only in Jesus Christ is he anything at all! And if he thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself, but does not deceive God."
I can get distracted by the cares and worries of this life in my walk on this earth. I MUST PRESS ON and stay focused on the " broad picture" the prize. Must forget what lies behind that would impede my walk with Christ.
Matthew Henry's commentary states-
"As he who runs a race never takes up short of the end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavors and preparations. The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit. For the prize of the high calling. Observe, A Christian’s calling is a high calling: it is from heaven, as its original; and it is to heaven in its tendency. Heaven is the prize of the high calling;..—the prize we fight for, and run for, and wrestle for, what we aim at in all we do, and what will reward all our pains. It is of great use in the Christian course to keep our eye upon heaven. This is proper to give us measures in all our service, and to quicken us every step we take; and it is of God, from whom we are to expect it. Eternal life is the gift of God (Rom. 6:23), but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way."
So though life changes things and we get discouraged we need to go ONWARD and FORWARD.
I was thinking about a song writer Michael W. Smith who has walked with the Lord for many years and still writes and sings songs that speak of God's sovereignty and care over us. I want to aspire to fiinish this race and pursue Christ.
"Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good and for Your glory"
Reaching down in endless grace
You're the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight
(2014 Sparrow Records- Michael W. Smith)
"Sovereign Over Us"
There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the Heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
You're the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
[x2]
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good and for Your glory
[x2]
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
[x2]
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
"Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us"
