John Bunyan's Birthday!

This week in history marks a couple of big birthday celebrations: one today and one tomorrow. We'll deal with them in order.

Today marks the 380th anniversary of John Bunyan's birthday. Now most of you will no doubt remember that Bunyan is the author of that blessed work The Pilgrim's Progress which ought to be read by every Christian at least 2 or 3 times (if not once per year!).

In commemoration of Bunyan's birthday, I'd like to share one of my favorite passages from his famous work:

[Christian and Hopeful are locked in the Dungeon of Doubting Castle and have been there since the Wednesday.]

"Well, on Saturday about midnight they began to pray [how like us to take so long to pray!], and continued in Prayer till almost break of day.

"Now a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out in this passionate speech, What a fool...am I, thus to lie in a stinking Dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty? I have a Key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, (I am perswaded) open any Lock in Doubting-Castle. Then said Hopeful, That's good news; good Brother pluck it out of thy bosom, and try: Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the Dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back, and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out. Then he went to the outward door, that leads into the Castle yard, and with his Key opened the door also. After he went to the Iron Gate, for that must be opened too, but that Lock [was hard to open], yet the Key did open it; then they thrust open the Gate to make their escape with speed; but that Gate, as it opened, made such a creaking, that it waked Giant Despair [the owner of Doubting Castle], who hastily rising to pursue his Prisoners, felt his Limbs to fail, for his fits took him again, so that he could by no means go after them. Then they went on, and came to the Kings high way again, and so were safe, because they were out of his Jurisdiction.

"Now when they were gone over the Stile, they began to contrive with themselves what they should do at that Stile, to prevent those that should come after, from falling into the hands of Giant Despair. So they consented to erect there a Pillar, and to engrave upon the side thereof; Over this Stile is the way to Doubting-Castle, which is kept by Giant Despair, who despiseth the King of the Celestial Countrey, and seeks to destroy his holy Pilgrims. Many therefore that followed after, read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done, they sang..."

Isn't that a great passage! After being stuck in Doubting Castle for days, Christian finally realizes that he should turn to God for help. And, so, he prays and does so all the rest of the night. As a result of his praying, he "remembers" that he has a key in his "bosom" (i.e., in his heart) which is called "Promise" (i.e., the promises of God in His Word). And this key unlocks the gates and lets them out of Doubting Castle back onto the road to the Celestial City.

It's the promises of God that is our key to times of trouble, promises that are hidden in our hearts and brought to mind by the Holy Spirit at the right time.

Beautiful, isn't it?