TODAY OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY MARCH 2nd 2026.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026.

TOPIC: FORGET AND PRESS FORWARD

 

MEMORISE
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – (Philippians 3:13-14)

READ: Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV)

15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

MESSAGE

It is often easy to forget all the wonderful things God has done for us, which is why many verses in the Bible remind us to ‘forget not.’ In Deuteronomy 8:11, Moses warned the Israelites not to forget the Lord. Psalm 103:2 also tells us not to forget all His benefits. Likewise, Psalm 78:7 warns us not to forget His works. However, as much as God doesn’t want us to forget the things He has done for us, He also instructs us not to hold on to the past.

In today’s memory verses, Paul told the Philippians that he often forgot the things that had happened in his past so that he could forge ahead, and he admonished them to have the same mindset in verse 15. Some people are caught up in their past achievements; they keep talking about how God used them and how they experienced great miracles in ‘those days’. However, there is nothing in their lives now that shows that they know the Lord. They are filled with anger, bitterness, jealousy, and every work of the flesh. Christians who keep glorying in their past exploits for God’s kingdom without thirsting to do more cannot experience a fresh anointing from Him. God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23); therefore, any believer who hangs on to the past alone will keep missing out on His increasing goodness and mercy. I turn 84 today, and by God’s grace, I am still doing exploits in His kingdom because I’ve learnt not to hang on to the past, and I rely on His mercies that are new every morning.

Beloved, forgetting the things behind you will help you press on to glorious things ahead of you. Forgetting past negative experiences and even victories will help you reach for the new blessings that God has ordained for you. If Joseph had not let go of the hurt from his brothers’ evil deeds, he would have been imprisoned by hate. As we see in today’s Bible reading, he told them that even though their actions were meant to destroy him, God turned everything around for good.

Do you need to let go of anything from your past so you can move on to greater heights? Ask God to reveal them to you and strengthen you to let go of them. Ask Him to help you press into the glorious things He has ordained for you. As you do that, I pray that your path will continue to shine brighter, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT
Today is my birthday. Please pray that God will continue to take me to greater heights.

AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Deuteronomy 26 – 27

HYMN 20 – I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY

1. I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining
   everyday; Still praying as I onward bound “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

CHORUS
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s table-land; Where love, and joy, and light abound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

1. My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise, and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, My constant aim is higher ground.
2. Beyond the mist I fain would rise, to rest beneath unclouded skies, above earth’s turmoil peace is found By those who dwell on higher ground.
3. I long to scale the utmost height, Though rough the way, and hard the fight, My song, while climbing, shall resound Lord, lead me on to higher ground.
4. Lord, lead me up the mountain side, I dare not climb without my Guide; And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around, With grateful heart from higher ground.