Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
In John Bunyan’s best-selling book, Pilgrim’s Progress, the central character, Christian, begins his journey leaving the city of Destruction and ventures on his way toward the Celestial City. Early on his journey, Christian decides to depart from the narrow path onto an easier one which leads him to the territory of Despair and its stronghold, Doubting Castle.
There, Christian is captured, overwhelmed, and locked in a dungeon until his faithful companion, Hope, arrives to remind him of previous victories. As the saint prays throughout the night, he remembers a key in his possession called “Promise”, which will open any lock!
At this moment, believers may be tempted to stray from the narrow path and onto an easier one shaped by worldly hopes and expectations. Doubts and uncertainties could lead to being trapped in the dungeon of Despair. However, we hold the same key of “Promise,” which opens the dungeon gate at Doubting Castle, leading us to a Kingdom that is unshaken and eternal.
Like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, we may find ourselves tempted to leave the narrow path, only to face the overwhelming grip of despair and doubt. Yet, just as Christian discovered the key of “Promise” that unlocked his freedom, we too possess this key—a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His unshakable Kingdom. Let us hold fast to His promises, staying on the narrow road, encouraged by hope and prayer, as we journey toward the eternal Celestial City.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy Devotions. This devotional was originally published on Worthy Devotions and was reproduced with permission.
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As we just celebrated one of the highest holy days of all the feasts of the Bible, Yom Turah (Feast of Trumpets) known in modern times as Rosh ha Shana (Head of the Year).
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The concept of ownership often influences how one can view the world, but if we recognize the truth that our time here is short and we can’t take anything with us, it will change our perspective. We are simply stewards of what has been entrusted to us. I’ve been running Worthy and its sites for 25 years, and I’ve never thought I was an owner but rather a steward of a ministry.