To be a Pilgrim?
A Pilgrim Memory
As I was reading this morning about the patriarchal pilgrim spirit, my mind was turned to the words of John Bunyan: we used to sing them regularly, with great gusto, in the School Assembly of Belfast Royal Academy, Northern Ireland, U.K..
A Pilgrim Testimony
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city - Hebrews 11:13-16
A Pilgrim Revalle
Where has the pilgrim spirit of John Bunyan gone? Lord deliver us from this day of banal, weak, spineless, timidity? His language may be quaint. His mindset and message are clear: study carefully the challenging call of the "Tinker of Bedford"!
A Pilgrim Eulogy
Who would true valor see, let him come hither. One here will constant be, come wind, come weather. There's no discouragement, will make him once relent his first avowed intent, to be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round with dismal stories. Do but themselves confound, his strength the more is. No lion can him fright, he'll with a giant fight, but he will have a right to be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend can daunt his spirit. He knows he at the end, shall life inherit. Then fancies fly away: he'll fear not what men say! He'll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.
A Pilgrim Entreaty
O Lord, in mercy, by grace, work more of the pilgrim spirit in us - help us to fix our eyes on the Christ, our Great High Priest, who has gone before us, and commands angelic hosts concerning us! Energize us with the Pilgrim Spirit of the Lord Jesus who came to earth, was born in a stall, intinerated truth, and died on a Cross.
