Feb 26, 2026 3 min read Devotions

PRESS ON

Even when we have realized a victory along the way, we need to keep on pressing on until we reach our final goal.

Years ago, our pastor was talking about dealing with challenges we face and the temptation to stop pursuing God, feeling alienated and forgotten, and facing the consequences of surrender.

He used the analogy of being in a boat rowing upstream against the flow. The progress was slow but steady as long as he kept rowing. However, once he stopped, he immediately lost ground. He then would have to begin rowing again and keep on rowing just to regain the ground he had lost. To maintain steady progress toward his final destination, however, all along the way, he would set small goals like achieving a certain landmark. Once he accomplished that goal, he set another goal to reach another landmark a little farther upstream; he continued this until he arrived at his final destination. But to "press" toward his mark, he couldn't let go of the oars or stop rowing; the "press" had to remain constant and steady.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

The Amplified Bible says "I press on . . .” which indicates that the pressing needs to continue relentlessly. And, even when we have realized a victory along the way, we need to keep on pressing on until we reach our final goal.

The dictionary has many meanings for the word "press", some of which include "to use force or weight, to push, to squeeze, to apply pressure, to exert great effort, to stress, to plead insistently". To press in the context of today's verse is to use strength to push and keep pushing toward your specific goal, that being the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There's another type of "press" we need to be constantly aware of, as well. A missionary from Kenya visited our church a while back and made a profound statement, "What is birthed in prayer must be sustained in prayer!" In other words, when you realize a victory in response to prayer, you must keep that victory bathed in prayer--you must press on. You can't afford to let up simply because you have the victory.

Each victory we realize along our path in life brings us closer to the ultimate prize. But our "press" needs to be constant, steady, and relentless till we receive the prize and the goal that we reach for—the Victor's Crown. So, just remember, no matter what, "PRESS ON"!

Father, You and You alone are my ultimate goal, the prize that I reach for, that I press toward! Lord, sometimes it seems as if I'm rowing upstream against the flow, as if I'm climbing the steepest of all hills as the winds of adversity seem to blow against me, but I know with Your strength I will endure as I press on. Lord, I commit right here and now to press on with all that is within me until I have attained the ultimate prize ... the Victor's Crown! Amen!

“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:1-3)