The Plight Of Christian And His Companion, Hopeful

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, when Little Christian and his companion Hopeful, were diverted from the King’s Highway into By-Path Meadow, things were bound to go from bad to worse. Discouraged because the way they were following was hard and rough, Christian spied an easier path that appeared to go alongside the main road they were traveling upon. Looking over a sty onto the path, the way did indeed seem easier and to be going in the direction of the Celestial City, their Heavenly destination. But all was not as it appeared. When night came, thunder and lightening resounded around them and the path grew muddy and then flooded with heavy rain. How the fellow travelers bitterly regretted not keeping to the King’s way! And Christian lamented evermore, because as the stronger one, he had led Hopeful, the weaker, off course and out of the Way.

Matters grew even more dire, when the travelers were seized by the cruel Giant Despair, who took the vulnerable prisoners to his residence, Doubting Castle, and locked them in a dungeon for trespassing on his grounds.

Amidst much suffering, beatings and starvation, Hopeful, shone through, true to his name. His words bring encouragement to all of us who find ourselves in trials and tribulation. Hopeful spurs his friend on with these words,

“But, however, my brother, let’s be patient, and endure a while; the time may come that may give us a happy release. Remember, my brother, how valiant thou has been heretofore? What hardship, terror and amazement has thou already gone through! Let us exercise a little more patience, and keep going as best as we can.”

2 Corinthians 1:10 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.

Paul confesses to the church in Corinth of the grievous hardships that he and his companions suffered in the province of Asia. He says, “we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” He felt the sentence of death upon him. But like Hopeful, Paul did not give up. He set his hope fully on Christ, whom he believed would deliver him, and on the prayers of the saints who prayed for him. And this hope brought comfort and strengthened his faith. After all, where else could Paul turn? Whom else could Hopeful depend upon? Surely not themselves! The all-surpassing power of God is where these men turned when their situations pressed hard at robbing them of any hope at all. And it is to Christ we too must turn when despair looms large sapping us of hope.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.

The plight of Christian and Hopeful reminds us that we all need a Hopeful in our lives. One who helps us to bear up under the weight of life’s burdens and points us to the promise of a better outcome. But be not surprised when the weaker brother, encourages the stronger. Christian, feeling shameful of his poor counsel and guidance, found comfort and mercy in the steadfast love of Hopeful. What a joy to have such a friend! How this narrative reminds us that the older Christian ought always be ensuring that their guidance and counsel is helpful, not harmful to the one younger in the Lord (see Paul’s instruction regarding this in 1 Corinthians 10).

Finally, it is imperative to take heed as to why little Christian and Hopeful fell onto the wrong path in the beginning. They were discouraged, tired and weary from the arduous journey behind them and the continuation of the uncertain journey ahead. Christian, in particular, looked for an escape. Or not so much an escape, for his heart was dearly set on pilgrimage, but he longed for rest and ease; comfort and pleasure for his flesh to enjoy. In this state, they were vulnerable to temptation. Did God say we must remain faithful to the hard and narrow path? Yes, those were Jesus’ words. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

How many believers do we know like Christian and Hopeful who, weary of trusting in the grace of God for their salvation, have diverted onto another path, that appears more to their liking? God forbid that we find ourselves in that dangerous place too. Temptations surround us, pleasing enticements lay before us, but ‘be ye steadfast, always immovable in the ways of the LORD.’

May God direct and protect our footsteps as we journey along the road with Him, keeping us from temptations and the allurements that will quickly lead us into discouragement and onto the path of despair.