Pilgrim's Progression

This world is not my home, I am a pilgrim on a journey to a heavenly city. As I travel this earth I find myself getting too comfortable, too complacent, too willing to delay the purposes of my journey here. At times I even get caught up in serving to the point that I lose my perspective. There are moments when I get a glimpse of my future home and it's splendor and at those moments my vision is renewed to live as a pilgrim.

Too often I lay my armor down and drop my guard only to come under attack from the enemy in a myriad of ways. Those attacks can be subtle or they can be sudden and violent. Either way the attack comes and my lack of care and continual preparation for the battle causes me injury- sometimes it can cause others injury. As for my Lord, I cause Him grief. Oh the remorse that follows, the realization of my own fault and foolishness. And oh the precious comfort my gracious Lord pours out on on me through His Holy Spirit as I repent of my sins.

Praise be to God that:
~Christ is my righteousness (I Corinthians 1:30).
~He understands that I am a sinner, weak and defiled, prone to wander (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
~He is my refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 18:2).
~He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5b) even when I fail.
~His forgiveness is full and complete as I come to Him in repentance (Psalm 103:12).

"Lord I am in awe of Your mercy and grace toward me a sinner. I praise You because You are worthy of my praise, my life, my all. Enable me to live a life that is a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to You. Tranform me by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what Your will is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2). Amen."

HOLD THE FORT

"Hold the Fort"
Philip P. Bliss 1870

Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader's name we triumph over every foe.
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

This hymn was shared with us at a recent family camp we went to. It was shared in the context of it's being written during the Civil War. There was a battle over a critical fort, the men defending it were out of ammunition and strength but one man saw the signal of a coming general miles off telling them to "hold the fort", he was coming with reinforcements. The men of the fort held on and WON with the help of those reinforcements! The man who wrote this hymn saw the spiritual application and penned this hymn. I was so encouraged!

How often do we get discouraged? How often do we wonder if we are the only ones fighting in this war on earth? How easily do we forget Whose battle it really is? How timely a reminder that we do not fight by might nor by power but by His Spirit... the battle belongs to the Lord! Oh my friend, if you are weary in battle today, hold the fort, Jesus is coming! By His grace you will.