Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
This passage of scripture reveals the mindset of a pilgrim, as it pertains to those of us who are looking for a better world, and a brighter day. Every true follower of God has had to deal with circumstances which they never catered for, but in all and through all, the mindset of a pilgrim dominated their thoughts, and so they were able to keep pressing forward in hope. After Abraham had left Ur of the Chaldees in obedience to the command of God, he came into the land of Canaan, but there he encountered a deadly famine which threatened his very existence, and the situation became so severe that he was moved to go down to Egypt to sojourn for a while.
The journey from his homeland had started out good, but then there was a dramatic change of circumstances, and this pattern can be observed in the lives of most Christians, who begin the Christian journey feeling all pumped up and excited, and we all feel energized and confident to run the race that is set before us. But then a change of circumstances sometimes comes our way, something unexpected that we were not catering for, and then it is that the mindset of a pilgrim is needed.
Daniel started out good, but he was later thrown into a den of lions, Joseph started out well, but he was later sold into slavery, and incarcerated for doing right, David started out well too, but was later hunted like a wild beast by Saul, and we can go on and on. The way that a true Christian pilgrim thinks, has to do with the way we reckon the experiences of this life against the immortal inheritance and eternal life that is to come, and after serious thought and consideration, we also, like our brethren and sisters who have gone before, rightly conclude that at the end of the day, it is all worth it. That's why we should not allow the temporary experiences of this life to dampen our hopes and dreams of a brighter tomorrow, for our aspirations are centered in the promises made by God to the faithful.
It takes faith to see beyond the maze of unseen experiences which often come upon us, and it takes hope to keep our eyes on the prize, when all around us points to the contrary. As Moses pondered and weighed the evidences of his faith, and what it entailed, he correctly concluded that it is better to suffer affliction with God's people than to succumb to the temporary, sinful pleasures of this earth, and so he made a conscious decision to move forward as a pilgrim, not centering his interests in the here and now, but earnestly looking forward to God's haven of eternal bliss. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
In our day, the mindset of a pilgrim is greatly needed, for we are often tempted to focus our attention on the mundane and transient things of life, instead of looking forward in earnest expectation to the earth made new, and it's because of this why we sometimes lose our focus and slip back into chasing after the illusive dreams of this mortal life. As pilgrims we should be in earnest, looking forward to that great day which shall usher in the eternal reign of righteousness, and therefore we should be living in readiness, and also helping to get others ready, so that the kingdom of God can be established on earth.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to have our gaze fixed in the heavens, and to all those who love Christ's appearing, the fleeting experiences of earth will be put into their rightful place, knowing that these things are just for a while. Let's read:
2nd Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
May this experience be ours both now and forever. "Good night" and God bless!