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Pilgrim's Progress
by
John Bunyan

Lesson 11

Christian was up with the dawn.  Singing softly, he stood at the window and watched the sunrise.  Thoroughly refreshed, he was ready to continue his journey and to meet whatever lay ahead of him.  Going downstairs, he found the various members of the family had risen also, and so he thanked them for their kindness to him and said that he was ready to depart.

"Oh, no!" said Prudence, one of the young ladies with whom he had talked the previous evening, "you must not go away until we have shown you some of the interesting things we have here."

"I would like very much to seed them," replied Christian, "but I do not like to trouble you more."

"Indeed, you would not be troubling us," replied the sisters.  "We have things here for the comfort and encouragement of pilgrims, and it is our delight to show them."

So Christian gladly accompanied them, and they took him first to the library and showed him old and very valuable records of mighty deeds done by God's people of many generations.  He was entranced by the accounts of Noah and the Ark in which he and his family rode in safety through the terrible Flood; he learned of the fall of Jericho when the Israelites marched around it, of the night that Daniel spent unharmed in the den of lions, of David and his fight with the giant Goliath who was killed by a small stone from David's sling, and of many other wonderful events of the past.  They spent the entire day among these old and fascinating records, and Christian learned many things that would help him as he went on his way.

The next day they visited the armory.  Here they showed him row upon row of beautiful shining weapons and armor.  There were shields and shoes and helmets.  There were belts and

breastplates and swords.  It seemed to Christian that he saw before him everything that a good soldier would need either for defensive or offensive warfare.  He looked wonderingly at the display and expressed his admiration.

"There is yet one more weapon we have," said one of the sisters.  "We do not keep it here on display with the others, for it is a secret weapon.  Come to this little room off the armory and you may see it."

Christian needed no second invitation.  He was very much interested in these weapons of warfare, but to see a secret weapon would be a great thrill.  As Charity unlocked the door and let it swing open, Christian looked at the weapon which was kept in the little room and exclaimed, "This is, of a truth, the most effective weapon of all."

"We would like you to take a suit of armor for yourself," said one of his guides.  "You will meet many dangers as you go on your way and you will need to be protected.  This is the armor the Lord has provided for His pilgrims."

Gladly Christian agreed and began to select pieces of armor which were of the right size:

1.  First, he selected a Belt of Truth, to keep his garment from hindering him.  God demands absolute truthfulness.  When we know the Lord, we must be careful to speak the truth.  Only then we are unhindered in our service for God.

2. Second, he selected a breastplate.  He knew he must choose wisely, for the breastplate would cover his heart and protect it.  He looked at them.  Each was labeled plainly, "Breastplate of Righteousness."  Christian thought of his own righteousness in which he he had wrapped himself long before he had come to the Cross.  His righteousness had been full of holes, tattered and torn and ragged.  He looked at the shining breastplate before him and thanked God for Christ his Righteousness; for now his heart, which had once been sinful in God's sight, was cleansed, and when God looked at it He saw the righteousness of Christ.  It made a perfect covering. 

3.  Then, he looked at the shoes or boots.  Surely he needed shoes for his journey, and these were excellent.  He read the name: "Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace."   Wherever Christian went he would be prepared to tell the Good News of the Gospel to those whom he met.   So Christian took a pair of the shoes and was ready to tell to all that Christ had made peace by the blood of His Cross.

4.  Next, he selected a shield.   In Christian's time they used shields to protect themselves in combat.  The soldiers carried a shield in one hand while they used their weapons with the other hand.  Christian remembered the arrows which he had heard striking against the gate as he entered, and he knew that Satan had many more and that he was sure to experience them.  So, he wanted a strong shield.  He took the Shield of Faith.  When we rely solely upon the promises and power of God, all the darts and arrows of Satan, even though they are fiery, cannot harm us!

5.  Christian now had a complete suit of armor with which to protect himself, but he had no offensive weapon to use against the enemy.  He saw before him exactly what he needed.  It was the "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God.  He must learn about the use of the Word of God by the Holy Spirit.  After learning its meaning and how to use it, he would find it an effective weapon to use against Satan and his demons.  It is still the same effective weapon today, for all who know the Lord Jesus and who are willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit.  It was used even by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself when Satan tempted Him, and the Devil fled from it.

6.  Christian now had all his armor and sword, but there remained the secret weapon kept in the little room at the end of the armory.  There, where the world could neither see or enter, Christian learned the secret and use of Prayer.  Prayer is the Christian's secret weapon.  The world cannot understand it, the unsaved person does not know its power, but eh person who trusts in Jesus Christ knows that by it he contacts heaven and that it brings about wonderful changes and events on earth.

Christian was well equipped for the journey before him.  While at the Palace Beautiful he had seen hills and valleys and plains and mountains in his pathway, and he could go forward singing, "The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation."