“Followers of Jesus are pilgrims on a journey through life to a heavenly city prepared for them by God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 17, 2023
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 11:15-16, ESV
Our friend Kelle recently walked a portion of the Camino with her brother and dad. The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of James, originates in France and concludes in northern Spain and has been a popular spiritual pilgrimage for Christians since the 10th century. Kelle’s plan was to hike a portion of the route for eight days, 14 miles a day. She traversed up and down hills in the heat of the sun and through the cool of the forest for much-needed shade. Some days her energy level was high and her spirits exhilarated, and other days it was almost impossible to take one more step with noodle legs and tired achy feet. Roadside cafes, spartan hotels, and the company of family and other pilgrims infused the necessary physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to push ahead. This sounds like life…we are all journeying together, encouraging each other through pain and joy, fear and hope, quitting or pushing on toward our heavenly city.
The writer of Hebrews, who is probably the Apostle Paul, describes followers of Jesus as those on a journey through life to a city prepared for them by God. These people of faith followed hard after heaven, not turning back to their old way of living…for they had found a much better way. Not better in the sense of easier, but better knowing that the Lord was leading their lives and His presence and purpose were superior to submitting to the much lesser gods and idols whose destination was destruction. As followers of Jesus, we are passing through life as “tent dwellers,” but the City of God awaits all who are faithful. Charles Spurgeon captures this imagery:
‘We know that this earthly house of our’ tent ‘shall be dissolved, but we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’ ‘He has prepared a city.’ A city is a place of genial associations. In a lonely hamlet, one has little company. In a city, especially where all the inhabitants shall be united in one glorious brotherhood… In a city such as this, there are plentiful occasions…where mutual interests shall enhance mutual joy.
If you are tempted to turn back from moving ahead in your journey with Jesus, make sure to assess what you are giving up. Peace for worry, security for insecurity, clarity for confusion, authentic faith for anemic faith, intimacy with God to estrangement from God, and heaven for earth. Perseverance is the mark of faithful believers who see suffering as an opportunity for deeper fellowship with Jesus and to trust the Lord during trials. Yes, life’s journey has very real pain, disappointments, loss, rejection by friends, unhealthy families, sin, sorrow and grief. Yet, along the same life journey, there are blessings galore: joy, forgiveness, healing and the hope of looking to our ultimate home in heaven. The promised land is ahead, where faith moves forward.
Christian pilgrims travel in community, looking to encourage one another in the faith and to help one another live a life that honors God. When one stumbles, the other is in close proximity to grab her hand before she falls. When one falls, there are two or three close by to pick him up and help restore him to a healthy path. When one’s burden is way too much for one person to handle, those who walk close to Christ help bear their brother or sister’s burden and, in the process, live out the love of Christ. And hopefully, as all Jesus’ followers journey together, they are drawing close to Jesus together. Walking with Jesus as a pilgrim is the best companion of all. He reminds His friends along the way to keep looking for a better city and, in the meantime, keep moving on.
“For here, we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, so grateful I can journey through life with fellow pilgrims as we look forward by faith to your heavenly city through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name.
Application
Consider learning more about one or more of these ten popular Christian pilgrimages.
Related Reading
Jeremiah 50:5; Psalm 39:12; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:9-13; 1 Peter 2:11
Worship Resource
UPPERROOM: Open The Eyes of My Heart
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
