THE PILGRIM
CHAPTER 17
WEEK 5 – SATURDAY
Read and pray: “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no root of bitterness grows up to cause trouble and by it many become defiled— see to it that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights.” (Hebrews 12:15‑16)
The Theft of Little-Faith
Hope – Little-Faith must have felt great consolation in seeing that this precious possession had not been taken from him.
Christian – It could indeed have been a great consolation for him if he had made proper use of it. But, as I was told, he made very little use of it under the various circumstances he encountered, because of the great fright he suffered when his money was stolen.
He forgot the precious parchment for most of his journey, and if he ever remembered it and that memory began to console him, immediately the thought of the loss he had suffered would rush back into his mind, darkening his soul and robbing him of all peace.
Hope – Poor fellow, he must have suffered much.
Christian – He certainly did! And wouldn’t any of us have suffered if we had been treated as he was—robbed and wounded in a desolate place? What amazes me is that he survived such suffering. I was told that throughout his journey, he kept voicing bitter and painful complaints, telling everyone he met where and how he had been stripped, how he had been wounded, and how he had escaped alive from such great trials.
Hope – I’m surprised he didn’t think to pawn some of his jewels to sustain himself on the journey.
Christian – You are extremely naive! To whom would he have pawned or sold them? In the land where he was robbed, jewels had no value, and even then he would have found no relief there. Besides, if he were without his jewels when he reached the gates of the Celestial City, he would be excluded (as he well knew) from the inheritance found there—a loss far more painful to him than the attack and mistreatment by thousands of thieves.
Hope – I beg you not to answer my questions so harshly. Do not be harsh with me, and listen. Esau sold his birthright for a single meal (Hebrews 12:16), and this birthright was his precious jewel. Now, if he did that, why shouldn’t Little-Faith have done the same?
Christian – Esau indeed sold his birthright, and many others, following his example, lost the greater blessing as that poor man did. But there is a difference between Esau and Little-Faith, as well as between their circumstances.
Esau’s birthright was a type—something not comparable to Little-Faith’s jewels. Esau had no god but his own belly, unlike Little-Faith: Esau’s need was merely to satisfy his carnal appetite, whereas Little-Faith’s need was of another kind. Moreover, Esau only remembered satisfying his appetite, and so he exclaimed: “I am about to die; to what good is the birthright to me?” (Gen. 25:32).
But Little-Faith, though possessing little faith, did have some, and it was this that prevented him from making the extravagant decision to part with his jewels as Esau did, and that caused him to rather cherish and value them. Nowhere will you read that Esau had any faith, even a little, and therefore it is not surprising that one in whom only the flesh rules (which always happens with a man who has no faith to resist) will sell his birthright, his soul, and all he is and has, to the devil himself—for such men are like a wild donkey’s colt that no one can tame (Jeremiah 2:24).
When their hearts are bound up in their own concupiscences, they must satisfy them, whatever the cost; but Little-Faith was of a very different temperament; his heart inclined to divine things, and his nourishment was heavenly and spiritual.
Why, then, would he sell his jewels, even if someone would buy them, to fill his heart with vain things? Would anyone give money to fill his belly with straw? Could one persuade the dove to feed on rotting flesh like the raven?
Even though unbelievers, to serve their carnal desires, may mortgage or sell all that they are and possess, those who have faith—the faith that saves—even if little, can never imitate them. There you have it explained, dear brother, the misunderstanding in which you were.
Hope – I now acknowledge it, but I confess that your severe reflection almost offended me.
Christian – Why? I did no more than compare your naivety to that of a chick freshly hatched, running across known and unknown paths while still clinging to its shell. But let that go, and let us deal with the matter we are discussing.
Hope – I am convinced in my heart that those three wicked ones were very cowardly to flee when they heard the steps of the one approaching. Why did Little-Faith not arm himself with greater courage? It seems to me he should have risked fighting them, and should have only yielded when no other remedy remained.
Christian – Yes, many called him a coward, yet few there are who in the hour of trial have the courage to stand firm. Little-Faith had no great bravery, and from what you say, I see that you, in his place, would risk only a small fight, yielding soon thereafter. Truly, if now, while we are far from the three wicked ones, you display such courage, I fear your thoughts would have been very different had those men attacked you as they attacked Little-Faith.
And you must consider that they were merely minor thieves, servants of the king of the bottomless pit—who, if necessary, would come to their aid—and whose voice is like the roar of a lion (1 Peter 5:8). I myself was assaulted like Little-Faith, and I know from personal experience how harsh those attacks are.
The three wicked ones attacked me, and when I began to resist them as a good Christian, they let out a small cry, to which their master came immediately. My life hung by a thread if the armor, all-proof, which I was wearing by the will of God had not protected me; and yet, I barely managed to come out victorious from the fight. Only those who have seen such severe trials can rightly evaluate them.
Hope – That is true. But as soon as they assumed Great-Grace was approaching, they fled.
Christian – Both they and their master have fled many times at the mere presence of Great-Grace, which is no surprise, for he is the royal champion; and I believe you must admit some difference between Little-Faith and the king’s champion—not all the king’s subjects are his champions; therefore, not all can perform feats of valor in the hour of trial.
Can one imagine any ordinary child defeating Goliath as David did, or a little bird having the strength of a bull? Some are strong, others weak; some have great faith, others little. Little-Faith was among the weak, and so he yielded.
Enjoy more:
Hymn – Comfort in Trials – “By the Lord’s Care”
https://hinario.org/detail.php?id=775
1
Pilgrim on the way,
And weary from the strain—
He hears such gentle whispers:
“Cast your burdens on the Lord!”
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
He will strengthen you
And comfort you anew—
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
2
Are your feet worn out with travel?
Is your lamp without its flame?
Is your cross becoming heavy?
“Cast your burdens on His name!”
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
He will strengthen you
And comfort you anew—
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
3
Have your friends all gone and left you?
Do they love you now no more?
Are you filled with grief and sorrow?
“Cast your burdens on the Lord!”
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
He will strengthen you
And comfort you anew—
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
4
Is your heart now weak and trembling?
Is your mind without its fire?
Is your strength so low and failing?
“Cast your burdens on the Lord!”
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
He will strengthen you
And comfort you anew—
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
5
He will surely bear and guide you,
Shining forth His radiant light;
He will keep you by His power,
Fill your weakness with His might.
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
He will strengthen you
And comfort you anew—
Cast your burdens on the Lord!
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