Saturday, 16^th August 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: THE PILGRIM’S MINDSET

THEME SCRIPTURE: “And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, the days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years; few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” – Genesis 47:9

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Why will Jacob refer to his years on earth as a pilgrimage?

 

Jacob has arrived in Egypt. He came with his entire family but also his flocks and cattle. Dwelling in tents (and not in houses), and being herdsmen, it was easier and faster for Jacob and his family to relocate. Interestingly, the Egyptians' attitude towards shepherds or herdsmen was not a favourable one. Shepherds were abominable to them (Gen 46:34). Having presented five of his brethren to Pharaoh (Gen 47:2), Joseph brought his father also to Egypt’s court (Gen 47:7).

The old man stood before the young man on the throne, Pharaoh. Yet the one who stood blessed the one who was sitting.

Pharaoh asked Jacob an interesting question, “How old are you?” (Gen 47:8). To which Jacob also gave a profound answer (Gen 47:9). He mentioned to Pharaoh that the days of the years of his pilgrimage is one hundred and thirty years. “Few and evil (challenging) have the days of the years of my life been”, Jacob added. Yeah, 130 years compared to his fathers are few, and the journey has been challenging. Every day was a training day for Jacob the pilgrim; learning to sail against the wind of the likes of Laban and swimming against the current of the waters of life. The pilgrim’s life is a challenging one but necessary.

Isn’t it fascinating that Jacob and his family were proud to refer to themselves, and also live as pilgrims? This was who they were, and that’s who we are also.

The writer of Hebrews indicates how the Patriarchs saw themselves and the mentality they had. Thus, they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11:13) and their thinking and desire were for a better country—an heavenly one. (Heb 11:16). Apostle Peter, writing to the believers in Asia Minor, reminded them of who they were and the mindset and lifestyle to have: “I beseech you as strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Our Lord Jesus charged us to store our treasures in heaven, where we come from, and where we’re going, rather than building treasures in the earth where we are sojourning. Thus, the believer, being a pilgrim, must spend his life building value in his home country and final destination.

Precious one, it is true that when we lose sight of, or our minds shift from our pilgrimage here on earth, we begin to live like the people of Misraim.

We begin to live for the ‘here and now’. The Egyptians (Misraim or the people of the world) abhor the shepherds or the nomads. But they love their own. Wherefore, John the Apostle by the Spirit charged us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If a man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Dear one, love not the world because it hates you, neither the things that are in it because they carry no value where you are going.

Beloved what is your mindset? Are you a citizen of the earth or a stranger and pilgrim in it?

Are you a one who loves the world and the things that are in it? Or are you seeking a city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God? Until your mind is set right, precious one, your ways will conform to this world. So set your mind to the 'pilgrim’s' mode because that’s who you are, lest the world will set your mind to the 'here and now' mode. Every day, live as a stranger in the earth,;  live with no attachment to the things of this life. Rather, live for the Father whose city has foundation; a city  you’re a citizen of. Every day, do all things to the glory of God. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Genesis 47

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How is heaven-consciousness central to your life and your way of living each day God gives you?

 

CONFESSION

Precious Father, Thank you for who I am in Christ. I affirm: in my Father’s house are many mansions. Jesus is gone to prepare a place for me. My mind and focus is set on Jesus, who will return to take me to my father’s house. I am only transiting this earth to my home country. Glory to Jesus!

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

1 Kings 14; Jeremiah 40; Mark 14