“When the valley is deep/When the mountain is steep/When the body is weary/When we stumble and fall/When the choices are hard/When we’re battered and scarred/When we’ve spent our resources/When we’ve given our all/In Jesus’ name, we press on/In Jesus’ name, we press on/Dear Lord, with the prize/Clear before our eyes/We find the strength to press on.” — “Press On” as performed by Selah

As you face the lowest of valleys, the steepest of mountains, the most painful of life’s circumstances, remember there is hope! God has not forgotten you.

“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them; and you listen to their cry,” writes the future king of Israel in Psalm 10:17.

Our God is not a deaf God or an unapproachable God, but rather a God to whom we can boldly go.

Paul declared in Hebrews 4:14, 16 — “We have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ... Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.”

A way to confidently approach the throne is seen in Psalm 142:

1. Cry out loud to the Lord.

2. Pour out everything to Him so we can be emptied of what might hinder Him speaking or working through us.

3. Trust He knows what He is doing.

4. Confess our deepest needs so He can work through us.

In addition to prayer, it helps to stand in the Word for strength and direction.

We are repeatedly told in Scripture to be bold, to be confident, even when we feel like we can’t press on any longer.

David spoke to this in Psalm 27:3 — “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”

He also addressed it in Psalm 16:8 — “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Also see more in Psalm 71:5 — “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”

David and his best friend Jonathan both strongly believed the Lord was bigger than whatever obstacle came their way. They trusted God could save them and act on their behalf in whatever situation they were facing. They knew nothing could stand in His way. They kept everything in perspective to God, not losing sight of His faithfulness and goodness.

Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9 to not give up, even when it seems hopeless, but to continue doing good for the reward is coming. He also wrote assurances in Hebrews 3:14 — “hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

John chimes in, “We have confidence before God and receive from Him everything we ask ...” (1 John 3:21-22)

A good family friendly film from 1998 is the Cinderella story with Drew Barrymore called “Ever After.” Midway through the movie Danielle (Barrymore) is trapped and her best friend Gustave is trying to muster the courage to tell the prince so he can save her. As Gustave battles with himself about this, a fellow servant tells him: “For once in your life, man, be bold!”

That’s what I say to you: Be bold and press on!



Just Hold On is written by Ruth Ann Replogle and published every Friday in the Enid News & Eagle. E-mail her at cropwithruthann@yahoo.com.