Will I Be Forgiven?

"Now Christian anticipated nothing but death, and so gave out
an agonizing cry, even cursing the occasion when he met Mr.
Worldly-Wiseman, and called himself a thousand fools for paying
attention to his advice. He also felt terribly ashamed to think that
this gentleman’s arguments, though originating from the flesh,
should prevail with him and be the cause of his abandonment of
the right way. So having scolded himself, he again directed himself
to Evangelist with great earnestness.
CHRISTIAN: Sir, tell me what you think. Is there any hope for
me? May I now return to the right way and then approach the
Wicket-gate? Or shall I be abandoned on account of my
waywardness, and be sent back to certain shame at the City of
Destruction? I am heartily sorry for having listened to this man’s
counsel; yet may my sin be forgiven?" John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress


Christian was waylaid by Worldly-Wiseman, a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hireling in the pasture. Worldly-Wiseman was not a shepherd. A shepherd is willing to give his life in defense of his sheep. A shepherd is always on the lookout for any danger that my befall his flock. Worldly-Wiseman was all about himself. His heart was cold and only was looking out for himself. What is horrible is that there are far too many Worldly-Wisemen in our pulpits and few shepherds. 


Christian cries out to Evangelist, "Is there any hope for me?" He knows that it would do him no good to place all the blame on Worldly-Wiseman. Christian is aware that he ignored the directions that was given him. He knows that there is ultimately no one to blame, but himself. He has been before the mountain and seen it shake with thunder and spit out fire. Christian knows that he deserves no mercy.


What Christian is about to find out about his God, is what King David found out. David was given everything by God. God had lifted him out of being a nobody and made him King. He had take a child and made him the most feared man on earth. Despite all that God had done for David, David sought after his own desires and turned away from God. David deserved no mercy.


Yet David found mercy from God. Yes, there was a penalty for his sin, sin always leaves a mark on our lives, but David found that his God was a merciful God.



"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His mercy endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His mercy endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His mercy endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His mercy endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His mercy  endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His mercy endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night.
His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136