Keep Rising Higher

I'm sure we have all sung the famous song - "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day....." This song reminds us to keep rising higher and higher and to keep our eyes upon Jesus.

As Isaiah 45:22 says, "Look unto Me and be ye saved..." There is a simple illustration relating to this from the example of a hawk trying to catch a little innocent dove.

"Have you ever watched a hawk in pursuit of a timid dove? Instinct has taught the dove that in order for the hawk to seize his prey, he must gain a loftier flight than his victim. So she rises higher and still higher into the blue dome of heaven, ever pursued by the hawk, which is seeking to obtain the advantage. But in vain. The dove is safe as long as she allows nothing to stop her in her flight, or draw her earthward; but let her once falter, and take a lower flight, and her watchful enemy will swoop down upon his victim. Again and again have we watched this scene with almost breathless interest, all our sympathies with the little dove. How sad we should have felt to see it fall a victim to the cruel hawk!" My Life Today, page 105.

What a lesson for us! We are the dove, being relentlessly pursued by the "hawk" - the devil. He is after us day after day after day and so often we find ourselves being "caught" or ensnared by his many temptations. If only we would follow the example of the dove!

As long as she keeps rising higher and higher above the hawk, she will NOT be captured. As long as she keeps rising higher into the sky and keeps her focus upward, she will be safe. But as soon as she begins to look downward or to the earth, that's her mistake and death will surely follow.

Psalms 61:1-3 says, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

When we feel overwhelmed with the temptations of the enemy, we need to cry to God to help us keep our focus looking up and not down on our trials and problems.

"We have before us a warfare--a lifelong conflict with Satan and his seductive temptations. The enemy will use every argument, every deception, to entangle the soul; and in order to win the crown of life, we must put forth earnest, persevering effort. We must not lay off the armor or leave the battlefield until we have gained the victory, and can triumph in our Redeemer."

We can't slide into heaven no matter how much we would wish to! In order for us to gain the victory and overcome at last, we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus and day by day battle with self and the devil's temptations. But we are not left to strive alone! That's the good news! :)

"As long as we continue to keep our eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith we shall be safe. But our affections must be placed upon things above, not on things on the earth. By faith we must rise higher and still higher in the attainments of the graces of Christ. By daily contemplating His matchless charms, we must grow more and more into His glorious image. While we thus live in communion with Heaven, Satan will lay his nets for us in vain." My Life Today, page 105

Just as the dove cannot be captured by the hawk as long as she is higher than him, so as long as we are keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, we will not be overcome by the devil's temptations.

But so often we find ourselves just like Peter and we start out looking unto Jesus but then we take our eyes off of Jesus and what is the result? Yes, sinking beneath the devil's temptations.

I love the way Hebrews 12:2 says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." That's the only key to overcoming! Keeping our eyes upon Jesus! As the famous song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face..."

Today let's ask Jesus to help us keep our eyes fixed upon Him throughout the day and to keep them on Him always!