I woke up a few times during the night with the old hymn "Higher Ground" on my lips. I love the words to this hymn. They say how I feel about my relationship with the Lord. As long as I am on this earth my prayer is “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Each and every day things come my way to distract me away from what the Lord has for me. There are things that try to get my focus off of Him. I have to make sure I start my day off with praying for Him to help me through the day and I also have to stay in His Presence throughout the day.
Philippians 3:14 reads, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. The words of Matthew Henry in regards to Philippians 3 help us to understand more clearly just how important it is to win this race of life.
"This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, 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. True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. In these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed, and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service."
Praise the Lord for these words of encouragement this morning. The desire of my heart is to be focused on Him at all times. I have faith in Him to enable me to do just that. My goal is heaven and my path will include "...pressing on the upward way..." I praise the Lord for enabling me to be able to say "New heights I'm gaining every day..." Woo hoo!
Dear Jesus,
A new day is ahead of me. I don't know where You will take me or who I will come in contact with but I pray for Your Spirit to be on me as I go throughout my day. I ask, Lord, for more of You and less of me so that You will shine through me. I pray for Your strength as "...Satan's darts at me are hurled..." Father, I praise You for being My Goal! Amen.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
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