Hymn Review: I’m Pressing on the Upward Way.
I find it very interesting that the chorus of this hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr is more of a sincere prayer than a loud declaration. A cry for higher things, experiences, encounters and insights.
The first stanza being my favourite, states clearly that a person “pressing on the upward way”, gaining new heights everyday, still needs to pray as he/she progresses, because there’s still more; these things are inexhaustive in themselves.
God wants you to be on a higher plane in terms of relationship with him. If you gave him 20 minutes yesterday, he’s telling you that you can give him an hour today! There is always a higher plane!
See yourself on a mountain, pressing on the upward way, though there’s a height you reach and see trees as ‘rock-sized’ and another height you’ll reach and see same trees as ‘sand-sized’ or at all. You also will have a clearer view of your destination. All by the grace of God!
BE ENCOURAGED TO DO MORE FOR GOD TODAY, THAN YOU DID FOR HIM YESTERDAY!
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up” — Jas4:10(NIV)
The prerequisite for your consistent lifting is right here, it’s in your humility of spirit. Any of you that will humble yourselves will be lifted.
In humility, ask to be placed on the higher plane!
Hymn:
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry 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.
2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. [Refrain]
3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground. [Refrain]
4 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, lead me on to higher ground.” [Refrain]
