A Pilgrim Making Progress

Psalm 19:7-14

7The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The commandments of the LORD are right,

bringing joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are clear,

giving insight to life.

9Reverence for the LORD is pure,

lasting forever.

The laws of the LORD are true;

each one is fair.

10They are more desirable than gold,

even the finest gold.

They are sweeter than honey,

even honey dripping from the comb.

11They are a warning to those who hear them;

there is great reward for those who obey them.

12How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?

Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

13Keep me from deliberate sins!

Don’t let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt

and innocent of great sin.

14May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

John Bunyan, who wrote the classic The Pilgrim’s Progress, had been a godless youth with “a great desire to take [his] fill of sin, still studying what sin was yet to be committed, that [he] might taste the sweetness of it.” However, while still in his twenties, Bunyan was convicted by the Holy Spirit of his sinfulness and his need for a Redeemer.

After this Bunyan’s conscience became so tender that he feared he was committing sins that would not be forgiven. Bunyan spent time studying Scripture, at times finding comfort and at other times being weighed down by guilt. “No one knows the terror of those days but myself,” he wrote.

Looking back on those turbulent days in his life, Bunyan recognized he had made some big mistakes. Although he had prayed for cleansing (verse 12), he had not prayed to be kept from future sin (verse 13). In addition, he was not standing firmly on the rock of his salvation (verse 14), even though he had asked Christ to be his Redeemer.

Perhaps you have trusted Christ to save you, but you still experience spiritual defeat. This is not unusual, but you do need to address the problem. Each new day ask God to help you follow him more closely. But do not be afraid, for, as Bunyan later wrote, our “righteousness is Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God;

He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus, to wash my crimson stains,

White in His blood most precious, till not a spot remains.

HORATIUS BONAR

A Word on Words

In verses 7-10 David uses six nouns, six adjectives, and six verbs to describe the laws and commands of the Lord. What are they?

Notable Quotable

“If our Rock were not our Redeemer, we would be without hope. If our Redeemer were not our Rock, we might be afraid. Let us never forget that our redemption has in it the strength of the Mighty One.”

G. CAMPBELL MORGAN