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CHAPTER 1
DAY 1 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
THE LIGHT IN A DARK LAND
The story begins with a man named Christian bearing a great burden on his back and a book in his hand. He is weeping and trembling as he reads of judgment to come. He cries out, "What shall I do?"
His family and neighbors consider him deranged. For days he walks alone in the fields, reading and praying, distraught.
Finally, a man named Evangelist comes toward him and asks why he is crying. He replies he fears judgment and hell and doesn't know what to do or where to go. Evangelist points to a wicket-gate and a shining light in the distance and asks if he sees it.
"I think I do," he says.
"Keep your eyes on that light," Evangelist instructs, "and go directly to it; then you will see the gate. Knock on it, and you will be told what you should do."
* * *
Isaiah the prophet, seeing the grandeur and holiness of God, cried out, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." Bunyan's pilgrim, reading the holy book, likewise cried out, trembling, and wept for his sins.
As in the City of Destruction, so in our culture, the holiness of God and our need for repentance and reconciliation seldom surface. We live out our days in a world that includes injustice, hypocrisy, degradation, and despair. Yet the Holy Book is always available to each of us, revealing the mysteries of God's grandeur and holiness.
Despite Isaiah's woe and sense of being undone, he prophesied hope: "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them."
Centuries later, Matthew described the beginning of Jesus's ministry by quoting Isaiah this way: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
Evangelist told Christian, "Keep your eyes on that light."
When we live in a world rife with crises and distress, we may well sense we are walking in a dark land, needing light far brighter and more authentic than anything the flickering colors and images on our screens can provide. It is still true that Jesus is the light of the world, and we are all pilgrims. The light shines for all of us, and we are invited to look for it, go to it, and to knock at the gate.
Isaiah compels us to action with another challenge: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." What a sobering, magnificent picture of the celestial light in our darkness. Let us keep our eyes on that light.
* * *
Lord, the longer I live, the more I realize how much I fall short of your purity and love. Please help me this day to seek you where you can be found, to listen for your instructions, and to keep my eyes fixed on the light you give.
CHAPTER 2
DAY 2 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
"NONSENSE!"
Seeing the light in the distance, Christian ran toward it. But his family and his neighbors called for him to come back.
Two men — one named Obstinate and the other named Pliable — resolved to bring him back by force and pursued him. When they caught up, Christian asked them, "Why have you come?"
"To persuade you to go back with us," they said.
But Christian warned them he was fleeing impending fire and judgment on their city.
"Nonsense!" Obstinate declared, and called him a crazy fool.
Pliable objected and said to Obstinate, "Don't be unkind. If what the good Christian says about the things he seeks is true, I am inclined go with him."
Obstinate then called Pliable a fool, and went back to the City of Destruction. But Pliable joined Christian, and they continued to talk as they headed toward the light.
* * *
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul writes the following description of people who ignore God: "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God ... due to the hardening of their hearts. ... They have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed."
It's a portrayal that also accurately describes Christian's neighbors and family. And in our own time, we don't have to look far to see dispiriting examples of the same. However, Paul also gives us this good news: "Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions."
Good News indeed.
Yet we who have welcomed God's Holy Spirit into our lives still struggle, and we often wrestle with the tensions of trying to "hate what is wrong" and simultaneously "hold tightly to what is good." This is especially hard to do in a world that seems instead to love what is wrong and hold tightly to what is bad. We find ourselves saddened by the impact this has on the innocent and on all of us.
Just as Obstinate did, many today believe sinfulness and responding to God's mercy is religious kill-joy nonsense. Yet the energizing truth is that God is the source of all good gifts and the source of joy. If God does not permit something, it is only because it leads to despair and ruin, just as Bunyan portrays it in the City of Destruction.
Jesus came that we might have life and "have it to the full." Christian fled the City of Destruction out of fear, but he also fled toward something — toward light and grace and joy.
* * *
Father in heaven, how easy it is for me to look around at all that distresses me and to be anxious about what's happening — and even more anxious about what may happen. I confess that sometimes my worries and fears triumph over my faith. Please help me to focus instead on the light and grace and joy you promise. Lead me, this day and every day, on the paths of love and righteousness.
CHAPTER 3
DAY 3 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
YOU CALL THIS "HAPPINESS"?
As he walked with Pliable, Christian described the wonders and delights of salvation and heaven. "We will be given crowns of glory," Christian said, "and garments that will make us shine like the sun." All tears would be wiped from their eyes. Angels would dazzle them, and no one would be unkind, for all would be loving and holy.
Pliable was inspired! Unlike Christian, he had no burden on his back, and he said, "Let's hurry."
Yet, before long, they fell into a bog called the Swamp of Despond. There, they floundered in the mud.
"Is this the happiness you've been telling me about?" Pliable angrily exclaimed. When he at last succeeded in freeing himself from the muck and the mire, Pliable left Christian there and returned to the City of Destruction.
* * *
Christian had plenty of encouraging news to share with Pliable as they walked along. He quoted the blessed book, perhaps including psalms full of praise for God's wonders and the gospel accounts of angels announcing the greatest story ever told.
Initially, Pliable listened eagerly and was cheered by Christian's descriptions of their destination — a kingdom of everlasting life where there would be no more crying or sorrow. But what happened next parallels an experience many of us have on the walk of faith. One moment we're rejoicing on a spiritual mountaintop, and the next moment we're slogging through a spiritual swamp.
Pliable is an example of how not to deal with life's reversals and hardships.
Unlike Christian, he carried no burden on his back. He was unaware he was shallow and desperately needy, with no sense of his own sin or the ways he fell short of God's glory. He was unable to grasp the Good News, for he felt he had no need for it. Pliable liked what he heard about heaven and the rewards to come, but he had no understanding of his true spiritual condition. As a result, he didn't realize how close he was to salvation. He failed to heed the call the prophet Isaiah issues to all of us: "Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously."
Because Pliable hadn't reckoned with his fallen condition, he had no idea what he was walking away from. But Christian did.
He was determined to seek the Lord and to keep struggling across the swamp toward the light.
* * *
Holy and Almighty God, help me to see my true condition as you see it. Give me strength to change my ways and to banish even the thought of doing wrong. I believe with my whole heart that your love is so great you sent your Son to this troubled world to redeem me. Help me not to fall back into old patterns, but in my struggles, to call on you in the expectation that you will shower me with mercy and lead me closer to your light.
CHAPTER 4
DAY 4 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
FLOUNDERING IN THE SWAMP
Although Pliable managed to free himself from the muck, Christian continued to struggle in the Swamp of Despond. Eventually, he made his way to the side of the swamp nearest the wicket-gate, but he couldn't get out because of the burden on his back.
Finally, a man named Help came along and asked, "What are you doing there?"
"Sir," Christian said, "I was told to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, ... and as I was going toward it, I fell in here."
"But why did you not look for the steps?" asked Help.
Christian admitted he had been so afraid that he wasn't paying attention.
"Give me your hand," said Help. Then he drew Christian up to firm ground and told him to go on his way.
* * *
Why was Christian stuck in the Swamp of Despond? Because he was so caught up in his own concerns, he didn't pay attention to where he was going. He missed the steps that would have kept him out of the miry bog.
When we're on autopilot — caught up in our own worries, forgetting to search the Word, and deaf to the whispers of the Holy Spirit — it's inevitable that we will lose our way. Sooner or later, we will blindly stumble into the Swamp of Despond. And even when we're prayerful and trying to follow God's leading, life's disappointments and tragedies can still crush our spirits and leave us floundering.
However it is we end up in the swamp, the words of Scripture always provide solid steps through the muck and quicksands of life. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path," writes the psalmist. Taken from Psalm 119, the longest in the book of Psalms, it is but one of many verses that celebrate how valuable and wonderful God's instructions are. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul echoes this same theme when he writes, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."
Like Christian, we may find ourselves floundering and despondent at some point on our journey. Scripture provides stability and guidance, and reaching out to others for help can pull us onto solid ground. We might reach out to a friend or family member, a pastor or small group leader, a Christian counselor, or a medical professional. "Share each other's burdens," writes the apostle Paul. That means we seek and graciously receive assistance when we need it, and then offer assistance to others when they need it. Sometimes we need Help to give us a hand, and other times we become Help for a fellow struggler.
* * *
Holy Spirit of God, I remember that Jesus said to his disciples you would come as our helper, and I need your presence and your help. Please be with me today. Show me how to help others who struggle. And when I feel my feet sinking in weariness and discouragement, help me to shift my focus from my difficulties to your goodness and your wonderful works.
CHAPTER 5
DAY 5 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
"WHY THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY?"
Walking along toward the light, Christian spied Mr. Worldly Wiseman walking toward him. When their paths crossed, the worldly man asked the pilgrim, "Where are you going in this burdened manner?"
"To yonder wicket-gate ... to get rid of my heavy burden," Christian replied.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman advised him to get rid of it quickly.
Christian replied that was exactly what he wanted, but he couldn't remove the burden by himself. He explained that Evangelist had sent him this way to get rid of his burden.
"I condemn him for his advice," Worldly Wiseman said, "for there is no more dangerous and troublesome way ... for I see the dirt of the Swamp of Despond upon you. ... If you continue on, you are likely to meet with weariness, pain, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death! ... So why should you carelessly throw your life away on the word of a stranger?"
But Christian said the burden on his back was more terrible than all those things.
* * *
Years ago, a beer commercial trumpeted, "You only go around once in life, so go for all the gusto you can." Does beer provide gusto? How about all the other products endlessly hawked in our ad-saturated society? Do they satisfy? Probably not. And yet, from marketers, and from the lips of Mr. Worldly Wiseman, we hear the endless refrain, "Why throw your life away? Go for the gusto!"
Jesus counters with a different message: "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." Or, in the words of pastor Rick Warren, "It's not about you." If you want a life of meaning and purpose, you won't find it in going for the gusto, or in any other self-indulgent pursuits Mr. Worldly Wiseman might advise.
Proverbs, the Bible's book of wisdom, repeatedly warns us to stay away from bad advice, including our own:
"Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips."
"Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation."
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death."
In our age of information glut, finding true wisdom requires both effort and discernment. Most important, it requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The world's wisdom beckons us to cling to our life — to avoid any path on which we might encounter pain or perils. The Lord beckons us instead to give up our life for him, which is precisely what Mr. Worldly Wiseman considered the worst advice of all. But it is in staying on that path toward the light that we are freed from our burdens and discover the meaningful life we seek.
* * *
Lord, grant me wisdom today as I seek to live by your guidance. In a world that promotes self-centeredness and cynicism, help me to choose the path of loving self-sacrifice. Give me the strength I need to continue, even when I experience weariness, pain, hunger, and perils. Make me an instrument of your peace. Keep my feet firmly planted on your path of life and purpose.
CHAPTER 6
DAY 6 with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
SHORTCUT TO THE HAPPY LIFE
The solution is at hand," Mr. Worldly Wiseman assured Christian, "and it does not involve those dangers."
Here was the plan he described: "In that village over there called Morality lives a gentleman named Legality ... who has the skill to help men rid themselves of burdens such as yours. ... His handsome young son, Civility, can help you as well. ... You may send for your wife and children to join you in this village. ... Everything you need for a happy life will be provided there."
Christian listened and found his suggestions very appealing. He turned and headed for Mr. Legality's house. However, he soon came to a very steep hill. As he climbed it, his burden felt heavier than ever before. Then he saw flashes of fire coming out of the hill!
Christian began sweating and quaking with fear, and he was sorry he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel. That's when he saw Evangelist coming to meet him, and he blushed with shame.
"What are you doing here, Christian?" Evangelist asked.
Christian was speechless.
"Didn't I tell you the way to the little wicket-gate?"
Christian confessed that after floundering in the Swamp of Despond, a man had persuaded him that he could more quickly be rid of his burden if he were to leave the path and go a different way.
* * *
The steep hill Christian found so difficult and frightening is Mount Sinai, the place where Moses received the Law from God. The writer of Hebrews describes Mount Sinai this way: "A place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind," where the Israelites heard "an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. ... Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, 'I am terrified and trembling.'"
Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel to consult Legality — to live by the law — led Christian to a painful realization: he was incapable of climbing Legality's hill. In other words, he couldn't live up to the demands of the law — none of us can. When we measure ourselves by God's standards, we fall far, far short and our burdens become only heavier and harder to bear.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Pilgrim's Progress"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Harold Myra.
Excerpted by permission of Discovery House.
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