Many of us are being pressed on all sides, however, we are not abandoned, and will not be destroyed if we will press into Jesus rather than handle things our own, unreliable way.
As a counselor I listen to people discuss their struggles and how they have ultimately dealt with them. When they sit with me, my best counsel is to encourage them to press in to the Lord concerning their issues.
“To press” means to crush, to exert violently, to forcefully endeavor, to impose, to weigh down, or to vehemently press against.
In Luke 5:1 we read about the crowd (people with all kinds of issues) that pressed (imposed) in to hear Jesus speak the Word of God at the Lake Gennesaret. In other words, lots of people stopped whatever else they were doing in order to come close to where He was. Don’t you know that they must have heard about Him and believed that He could benefit them in some way.
Nearby were a few fishermen who had just pulled their boats onto shore after having fished all night, catching nothing. So, Jesus decided to climb into one of those boats which happened to belong to Simon and then asked him to move it away from the shore so He could address the gathering crowd.
Jesus finished talking to the crowd then turned to this fisherman and instructed him to take his boat out into the deep water and to cast his net at once for a catch.
Simon, being a skilled fisherman most likely pulled in a boat load of fish most of the time. So one might think that when he experienced a rough night, like the one he just had that he would have called on one of his skilled fishing buddies for advice. Apparently, none of them had sufficient answers that helped to pull in even a small catch.
So, Simon did what Jesus told him to do and as a result his nets got so full that they tore. The catch was more than what Simon needed for his-self, so he wisely called upon those in the other boats to come share the blessing.
Jesus’ instructions appeared to be simple and “natural” but the obedience to them brought the “supernatural”. Jesus never disappoints those who press into Him. He always does more than we can think or imagine.
In Luke 8:45-48 we read about other crowds pressing (crushed) in to touch Jesus. They too had heard things about Him and wanted what He had to offer.
There was one woman in this crowd who had had an issue of blood for twelve years. The way she had always dealt with it, up until now, was to go from one doctor to the other. She tried many of them and spent all that she had but got worse instead of better.
In her desperation she decided to press in, behind the crowd, to touch this Jesus. Her actions so impressed Him that He made sure that everyone in the crowd knew that this woman’s faith had made her whole.
Before pressing in to touch Jesus, this woman had life draining out of her. However when she activated her faith in Jesus by pressing in to Him, she not only got healed and had life restored to her but was also made whole, giving her the ability to bring forth life in others.
If you have been handling issues your own way and not getting the results you are looking for, press into Jesus. He offers instructions to show you where to put down your nets after you have had a bad night. Then all you have to do is obey what He says. No matter what the issue He can make you live again and help you bring life to others.
If any of you are still wondering HOW to press in to Jesus just remember…be where He is and listen.
One more thought to leave you with. He is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle. Do you need a little pressing?
My prayer for you:
Lord, help each of us to press into you and listen to what you have to say. Thank you, in advance, for helping us to prepare for our wedding day as we press in and become wrinkle free. Amen!
Blessings,
Dr. Terry