The Pilgrim Journey

 

Heb. 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The faithful who have lived and gone before us looked for a better place. This world was not their home, they were only passing through. We live in this present world and seek love and happiness. We are all pilgrims on this journey of life and we who are in Christ, seek to live with the blessing of God as we journey. The destination is the City of God, but often the pilgrim journey is hard, filled with heartache and pain. I think of one of my favorite hymns. 
“I can see far down the mountain, where I wandered weary years, often hindered in my journey, by the ghosts of doubts and fears; broken vows and disappointments, thickly sprinkled all the way, but the Spirit led, unerring, to the land I hold today.” 
Unlike those who died in the faith before the coming of Jesus, we have received the promise. The promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, guides us on this pilgrim journey. We have the words of Jesus, “Seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” We walk each day knowing that Jesus cares and desires what is best for us. The pilgrim journey is not made alone. He will bless us as we trust and obey. He will carry us through difficult times. Like the songwriter, we also can know the blessing of God as we make this journey.
“ I am drinking at the fountain, where I ever would abide; For I've tasted life's pure river, and my soul is satisfied; There's no thirst for life's pleasures, nor adorning, rich and gay. For I've found a richer treasure, One that fadeth not away.” 
Is not this pilgrim journey the land of Beulah?

The Promise of Jesus

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The promise of Jesus given to believers that there will be one that will not only be with us, but “shall be in you” Such was the case on the day of Pentecost. The day that believers gathered together in the upper room united together in prayer. The Holy Spirit came, purifying their heart’s by faith, filling their heart with burning love, gave them power over the works of darkness and sin. As believers, we need the Holy Spirit to come into our lives and lead us and direct our path. He is the source of truth who will not lead us astray. Believers in Christ are still human vessels subject to the temptation of Satan. It is essential that we have the Holy Spirit in us to be all that God wants us to be. The Holy Spirit want to work in our lives, but we must submit ourselves, our will, our desires to His will. Let the Spirit of Truth be our standard of living. We are never alone, and He will go before us.

Constantly Abiding

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever”-

Constantly Abiding. The Holy Spirit’s presence in this world was made possible because Jesus came and provide a way for us to have access to the Father. The Spirit has always been active in the world, but it was not until Jesus came that the Spirit’s fullness was able to abide in those who walked with God. The Spirit was with and directed all those that lived Godly live before Christ came, but the Holy Spirit did not indwell the believers until the day of pentecost. The prayer of Jesus makes it clear that He had not yet come to dwell, but that He would come. The promise was to believers in Christ who had been saved through believing in the Name of Jesus. It is for us all today for our high priest has prayed to God the Father who always hears the prayers of His Son. He abides, He abides, every day and everywhere. He is constantly abiding in the hearts of those who keep His commandments.

Power From Above

Luke 24:49 “And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.”- 

For us to be effective below, we must have the power from above. Once we are endued, filled, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the impact of our life for Christ increases greatly. The power from on high fills our hearts with perfect and fearless love to live for God no matter what circumstances and situations come our way. The promise of Christ He gave to His followers before ascending to heaven was to send the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that our lives would be Holy Ghost directed. Living a victorious Christian life can only be done consistently when the Holy Spirit dwells with in each one of us. Without Him, we become easy prey for the devil.