5 Ways to Ensure Pilgrim’s Progress

5 Ways to Ensure Pilgrim’s Progress

We are all pilgrims on our way to God. We yearn to know how to make it. Psalm 119 provides us helpful ways to ensure progress on our pilgrimage. Let’s see what they are.

1) KEEP ON WALKING

This looks too obvious. But too often we sit down and don’t keep on walking. We are on journey. This world is not our home. We are on our way to home and we need to keep on walking. Slowly but surely we will make it but we need to steadily keep on walking. God is waiting. God will cheer us on. And he does provide for us everything we need. We are not to wander off the path but keep the course God has set out for us. We will make progress when we keep on keeping on.

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
don’t ever walk off and leave me.
(Psalm 119: 1-8; MSG)

2) READ THE WORD OF GOD

God has provided us a detailed map for the road of pilgrimage: the Bible. In order to stay steady on the course we need to be steeped in the word of God. There is no way around it. We need the map. The map doesn’t need us but we really do need the map. Make meditative scripture-reading a habit of yours and it keeps you centered and focused on your goal. The sooner we make a habit of studying the Map, the easier the pilgrimage become. The sooner we put the word of God in practice, the better we know how to make progress on our pilgrimage.

How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
I won’t forget a word of it.
(Psalm 119: 9-16, MSG)

3) LOOK AT GOD, NOT AT ROADBLOCKS

We can’t make the pilgrimage on our own. There’s no strength and wisdom in us. But God will sustain us. God will equip us. God will nourish us. There will certainly be roadblocks and setbacks. But we are not to concentrate on roadblocks. We are not to be afraid of setbacks. We are to look at God, not at the size of the roadblocks. God will guide us. God will show the way. God will see us home. We just need to lift our gaze from our problems to God. That’s where our help comes from!

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I’m a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
insatiable for your nourishing commands.
And those who think they know so much,
ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!
Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;
I’ve been careful to do just what you said.
While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
I listen to them as to good neighbors!
(Psalm 119: 17-24, MSG)

4) LIVE IN PRAYER

Approach your life prayerfully and you will have everything you need. Pray without seizing. Bring all your troubles to God, ask for help. Repent when you mess up, ask for guidance and wisdom. Listen. God is not distant. God is right beside us, in us. Cultivating wonderment and reverent awe of God and his abundant grace protects our hearts from harm. Prayerful life also keeps us from falling into lies. We are not to trust our feelings but the promises of God. When we live in prayer we are connected to God and we will be lifted up when we feel down. When we live in prayer we know the truth. And truth shall set us free. (John 8:32)

I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.
(Psalm 119: 25-32, MSG)

5) BE OBEDIENT

Obedience ensures that we will keep on making progress on our pilgrimage. By the grace of God we are able to be obedient. We need to keep on being obedient and blessings will flow. God adores giving us grace upon grace so we can truly and freely live in Him. God adores sustaining us on our pilgrimage. God adores loving us and helping us along. We just need to keep on asking for help and God will provide. Keeping God’s commandments will show us the right way to live in him. We will have enough rest along the way and we will show compassion to our fellow pilgrims. Together we will make it home.

God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Psalm 119:33-40, MSG

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for providing us everything we need.
Keep us from giving in,
draw us into your Word,
open our eyes to see you,
live in us, and
keep us strong.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What does keep you strong on your pilgrimage?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you walk steadily on the road revealed by God!

This post is part of One Word at Time: Road Blog Carnival. Check out the other posts!

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Liston Byam Shaw [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

8 thoughts on “5 Ways to Ensure Pilgrim’s Progress

    1. Excellent, Lisa! May you be abundantly blessed as you journey on your pilgrimage! And thank you!

  1. All good points but I especially liked #1-keep on walking. The idea that we are on our way home is how I want to see life. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you, Joyce! Let’s keep on walking! Great to share the journey with you. Be blessed, sister!

  2. Your 5 ways to ensure progress on this road to Heaven is awesome and well taken. I enjoyed your scriptures from the Message Bible to illustrate each point. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, one foot in front of the other and constant vigil on the map and speaking to the one who guides us, and obeying each sign along the way! Loved this post!

    1. Thank you so much, Hazel, for your affirmation. Praise the Lord for guiding us along the way! Abundant blessings to you, sweet sister!

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