02 January 2013

Pilgrim's Progress: The Lament Over Sin


In the opening section of The Pilgrim’s Progress, we meet Pilgrim, the main character of the book.  As he reads the word of God, Pilgrim is convicted of his sin and it weighs heavy upon him.  He is burdened with fear.  The book reads, “I looked, and saw him open the Book and read therein; and as he read and wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he break out with a lamentable cry, saying: ‘What shall I do?’” (page 13). 

Just a few days ago, I posed the question, “when was the last time you trembled at the word of God?” (Isaiah 66:2)  One person confessed that she is not sure that she ever has.  No one else responded.  I think we have lost a sense of awe, or perhaps respect, for the holiness of God.  We no longer see the offensiveness of our sin to a wholly pure God.  I struggle with this every day. Pilgrim, however, trembled before His word, convicted of his sin. 

We should pray for a sense of awe before the throne of God (Isaiah 6; Revelation 4).  The fear of the Lord is commended as a good thing in Scripture and we should try to understand what that means for us as Christians; however, we must also keep in mind God’s steadfast love and kindness.   

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is insight-Proverbs 9:10

Have you ever trembled at God's word?  What does the fear of God mean to you?  

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