The war was raging in America in the summer of 1813. The new fledgling nation was still fighting the old enemy, the English. At times the English were winning this war. Even the national capital in Washington, D. C. was occupied by them at one time. It did not look good for the Americans.
But something happened this week that help change the mood of the war. In the midst of battle, the wounded U.S. Navy captain, James Lawrence, of the USS Chesapeake shared with his crew the now Navy famous motto – “Don’t give up the ship.”
In the midst of your storms and battles of your life, these words may be of comfort to you so that you can keep on going. You have gone this far. You have invested too much to go back. Keep pressing onward. Victory is near!
This theme sounds all too familiar in what Paul was sharing with the early church as they struggled with their new found freedom in Christ. Keep pressing toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Simple but effective words for us today to keep going.