Theme for this week: “Moving On”
December 30, 2021 (Thursday)
Let’s read again Philippians 4:13-14 (NIV): “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Try to think of what Paul wrote in this way: He is writing as a runner in the race of life. He left the starting line behind, is heading for the finish line, straining toward reaching it and looking forward to His Heavenly reward. This gives us a great illustration of Paul’s life as a Christian serving the Lord.
Paul is in prison and people think he has reached the finish line, but no, not yet. He will be freed from prison and will resume his missionary work for a few years before finally reaching the end of the race.
Paul says he is laying hold of that which the Lord laid hold of him. When the Lord saved Saul, He saved him for the purpose of leading people to Christ. Until he writes these words in Philippians, that is what he has done. Now he is in prison, but somehow he knows that he will be set free to keep doing the Lord’s work. His description of more service, however, is a good description of his entire life since Christ laid hold of him.
Can you and I say that we have the kind of love for Christ that Paul exhibited in his life of service? Are we ready to keep on doing in 2022 that we have been doing in 2021? Or will we do better? God’s call to Paul was an upward call. He kept being called to higher planes of service, until finally the Lord called him home to Heaven. The reward he receives in Heaven is no doubt the commendation of Christ, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” I pray that will be your reward, too.
MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOR
Words, Kate B. Wilkinson (before 1913)
Music, Arthur C. Barham-Gould
pub.1925
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.