The most difficult part of my pilgrim life will not be when I begin, or when I end, but on the road between the two. The beginning is usually accompanied by a wave of exultant joy, like Columbus beginning his voyage. The end, though weary, is attended by the joys of accomplishment. But the road between has neither; therefore, I must be certain not to give up.
Most of the warnings of the Bible are addressed to me in that vulnerable stage. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV); “Let us run with patience the race … before us” (Hebrews 12:1, KJV); “Press toward the mark” (Philippians 3:14, KJV); “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end” (Matthew 28:20). Paul feared being a “castaway,” not at the beginning or at the end of his career, but in the red-hot fight of the road between (1 Corinthians 9:27, KJV). And Jesus had a strong word for the disciple who “put his hand to the plough” and turned back (Luke 9:62, KJV).
The difficulty of the middle part of the road is the absence of a cheering section. When I made my initial decision to follow Christ, what cheers came from loved ones and friends! When I shall come within sight of the celestial city, what a rousing welcome awaits me from those who went before me! But very few, if any, stand in the heat and dust of the road between to cheer me on. My comforts diminish, my friends are busy with their own journeys, and even God seems to have withdrawn a little. I must live trusting the naked Word of God without “feelable” assurance. I must endure “as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27, KJV). It is a hard, hard life; yet the same God who called me will surely stand by me until He rings me on to the final stage of the journey, and to the welcome shouts of the heavenly Zion. Hallelujah!
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Daily with the King 