Yesterday, Pliable had abandoned Christian to the swamp, returning to the City of Destruction. Christian, hopelessly stuck in the slough of despond, meets Help who assists Christian in getting out of the muck. Christian observes that this Slough stands right between the City of Destruction and the gate and asks why no one fills it in? Why does it stand in the way? Help explains to Christian, "
This miry Slough is such a place that cannot be mended. It is descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore is called the Slough of Despond; for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears and doubts and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place. And this is the reason for the badness of this ground" (p. 23).
We Christians often begin really well, but then we get stuck. We start to focus on our own ineptitude, our brokenness, and our inability to measure up. We see the biblical standard for holiness, but rather than keeping our eyes glued to the cross, we begin navel-gazing, focusing on our sin rather than upon our Savior. Help's point to Christian was that these fears and doubts derail many people, sometimes hopelessly so. Rather than persevering, rather than focusing on biblical truths, we just give up.
But then Help tells Christian, "I
t is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so bad" (p. 23). God desires people to look upon Him and His saving grace. Bunyan cites Isaiah 35:3-4 at this point, which is a reminder that God will come and save those with weak hands and feeble knees.
As I read this section, I was reminded of this quote by Robert Murray M'Cheyne, "For every look at yourself, take 10 looks at Christ." Keep your eyes upon that which matters so that you do not get bogged down.
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