Life is hard and Jesus knew it would be so. There is no shame in struggle. Discouragement doesn’t disqualify us.
The way is narrow. The cross is heavy. Sometimes the path is all uphill. But that is where pilgrimage leads us. And we walk on because pilgrimage is not a love of travel but a commitment to a destination. We know where we are bound so giving up is out of the question. Stopping short of the goal isn’t a possibility.
Can I share a few promises for my fellow pilgrims who may be feeling a little weary of the journey?
👉 To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life (Rev 2:7).
👉 The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death (Rev 2:11).
👉 And I will give him the morning star (Rev 2:28).
👉 I will never blot his name out of the book of life (Rev 3:5).
Walk on, Pilgrim. The journey isn’t over until we see Jesus.
• are blessed – experience true joy (v 1) • are able to work and enjoy the fruit of their labor (v 2) • enjoy ultimate blessing and security (v 2) • have wives like fruitful vines – bring joy, abundance, and life to the home (v 3) • have children like olive shoots – full of energy and promise (v 3) • are currently blessed (v 1) and promised future blessing (v4)
Anything done, apart from the Lord, is done in vain. It is pointless and a waste of time and energy. Only things done for the Lord have any lasting impact or value.
Our work (v 1) has no value apart from the Lord.
Our tendency to worry and fret and try to fix things ourselves (v 2) serves no purpose. We must lay our burdens at His feet.
Our family – parenting, marriages, etc – (v 3-5) must be grounded in the Lord and his Word.
This psalm is a beautiful little prayer. I strongly believe in praying Scripture and this one serves as a great outline. It’s broken into two sections.
Lord, I’m remembering what you have done for me in the past (v 1-3).
• when the Lord restored • we were like • our mouth was filled • they said among the nations • the Lord has done • the Lord has done
Lord, I’m asking you to do it again (v 4-6).
• restore our fortunes • shall reap with joy • shall come home with joy
When times seem particularly dark – we sometimes need to remind ourselves of how God has moved on our behalf in the past. And, don’t you know, he can do it again!!