[209]. A Message From A Poem – Our Pilgrim Journey Home

[209]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY HOME

Here is an explanation – The title of this poem expresses the walk and life of a Christian who lives for a short time in this world and then is called home. There is a slight touch of Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress here.

The KJV is the only translation to use the word “pilgrim” and it is used twice.

{{Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and PILGRIMS on the earth.”}}

{{1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and PILGRIMS, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”}}

Most commentators and translators say the use of pilgrim above is a poor translation with the correct meaning being a sojourner or foreigner. Strong’s says “an alien alongside, i.e. A resident foreigner.”

While a Christian is on earth, he/she lives confidently looking ahead in the journey to be at home with the Lord. It may be a life of hardship and various trials, but the outcome is fixed. Absent from the body means being at home with the Lord.

On the other hand there are many who find life meaningless and even some are cynical about that like the famous quote of Macbeth – “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Each of the four stanzas is introduced by a 5 metre statement that sets the thought for the stanza:-

The way can be tough

The crowd may oppose

We walk in the light

One day we will stand

The rhyme scheme in this poem is one I have only ever used once. Each of the 16 lines has three internal rhymes and no end rhymes. For example –

“Though valleys are DARK with shadows so STARK, we’ll press forward to the MARK.”

The poem recalls our role as sojourners, and here is Paul’s attitude which is wonderful if it is ours too – {{Philippians 1:20-21 “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death, FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and to die is gain”}}

I hope it is meaningful for you.

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OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY HOME

The way can be tough, and the going rough, but the Lord gives grace enough.

Now I push ahead; on this road I tread, for by the Lord I am led.

The Saviour gives hope, and with that I cope; I then can tackle each slope.

Whatever may rise won’t be a surprise; it’s known by God who is wise.

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The crowd may oppose the ones that God chose, but God assists through those throes.

He cares for His own; they’re never alone; Jesus still reigns from His throne.

Though valleys are dark with shadows so stark, we’ll press forward to the mark.

Let nothing deter, or our vision blur; ourselves, with God must concur.

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We walk in the light; by faith not by sight, to become the Lord’s delight.

Let’s do His good will, remain in Him still; His requests, may we fulfil.

The helps on the way that He will display, keep us from going astray.

Joys of the hilltops, alarms at forced stops – God protects at all outcrops.

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One day we will stand on that golden strand, with those in God’s faithful band;

Our journey complete with no more defeat; no more will the world maltreat.

Embraced in God’s love, secured above, and held in peace as a dove.

He died for us all. In Him we stand tall, in glory, no more to fall.

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5 September 2021 R E Ferguson Metre = Internal 5-5-7 throughout