12. The Arrival of Help

However, I [Bunyan] saw in my dream that a man came to him named Help, (1) and he asked Christian, “What are you doing here?

CHRISTIAN: Sir, I was advised to go this way by a man named Evangelist, and he directed me toward the Wicket-gate ahead so that I might escape from the wrath to come. But as I was pressing forward, I fell in here.

HELP: But why did you not look for the steps (2) across the mire?

CHRISTIAN: I was so fearful in my escape that I missed the safe way across the mire and fell in.

HELP: Then give me your hand.

So Christian stretched out his hand, and Help (3) lifted him out of the mire and set him on solid ground; then the pilgrim was exhorted to be on his way toward the Wicket-gate ahead.

Then I [Bunyan] approached the person who lifted him out and said, “Sir, since the way from the City of Destruction to the Wicket-gate ahead runs directly through this place, why is it that this plat [low-lying piece of land] is not repaired so that travelers might pass through with greater safety?” And he said to me, “This miry Slough is peculiar in that it cannot be mended. Being low-lying it attracts a continuous stream of scum and filth that is associated with conviction of sin; for this reason, it is called the Slough of Despond. As the traveling sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears, doubts, and discouraging perceptions concerning himself; then all of these accumulate and pile up in this place. And so, this is the reason for the badness of this ground.

(1) Ps. 20:1-2; 70:5. (2) The promises. II Pet. 1:4. (3) Ps. 40:2.

John Bunyan, The Plgrim’s Progress

1. Does Help’s question surprise you? As you continue to read the conversation between Christian and Help, does it begin to make sense as to his question?

2. From a spiritual perspective, what do those steps represent?

3. How many times have you found yourself in a Slough of Despond. From where did your Help come from?

4. The fact that the Slough can never be mended, should we pay more attention to our every step?

Proverbs 14:15 tells us “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Oh, how necessary, that while we walk down the King’s Highway, we are ever vigilant and watchful of every step we take, for the enemy lays in wait to catch us in his snares. This journey, fraught with dangers and much toil was never promised to be safe. But it is promised that the end will be good, nay, more than that, majestically inexpressible and filled with glory, as we rest from our journey with the King of that celestial domain, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ.