Looking back we see plenty of failure and pain – plenty to cause shame and sorrow. Our hearts may be filled with gratitude and praise because, in and through it all, the Lord has shown great mercy and drawn us closer to Himself.
Yet even so, He would not have us occupied with this past. The prospect ahead should claim our attention and fill our hearts. “Reaching forth!” There is no indifference or half-heartedness in those words. Watch a young child reaching out for his toys. What effort he puts forth! What eagerness in his face!
So we should press on with eager, earnest effort, toward that blessed goal – there to “win Christ and be found in Him,” not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Our blessed Lord! What an object!