The Pilgrim’s Progress Part VIII — Doubting Castle and the Key of Promise

Doubtin Castle and Giant Despair

Now I saw in my dream that by this time the Pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah. Yet before they came there, they met with one of the sorest trials that ever befell them in all their journey.

For the way grew exceeding rough beneath their feet, and Christian, looking aside, espied a pleasant meadow running close beside the King’s Highway.

Then said he to his fellow:

“If this meadow lieth along by our way, let us go over into it.”

And Hopeful answered:

“But how if this path should lead us out of the way?”

Christian replied:

“That is not like; se

e, it goeth alongside the way.”

So Hopeful, being persuaded by his companion, went after him over the stile.

At the first their path was easy, and their feet rested pleasantly upon the grass. Therefore, Christian said:

“See now how much easier the way is! Surely this manner of travel is far better.”

But the night came on swiftly, and with it a terrible storm of thunder and rain. Then the pilgrims lost sight of the true path, and knew not whither they wandered.

And Hopeful said with heaviness:

“I fear we have missed our way.”

Then Christian stood still awhile, for his heart smote him within.

Now as they wandered in the darkness, seeking shelter from the tempest, they came upon a little resting-place and, being greatly wearied, laid themselves down to sleep.

But the ground whereon they slept belonged unto Giant Despair, and was near unto Doubting Castle.

So when the giant arose early in the morning and found the pilgrims sleeping upon his grounds, he fell upon them with grim fury.

For he was of a cruel and fearful countenance, exceeding great in stature, and hard of heart.

Then he beat them grievously, asking:

“Whence came ye? and what do ye here upon my grounds?”

And the pilgrims trembled before him, for they knew they had gone out of the King’s Highway.

So Giant Despair drove them before him like prisoners and cast them into a very dark dungeon within Doubting Castle, where there was neither light nor bread nor water.

Now in this place Christian and Hopeful lay many days.

And the giant, coming often unto them, mocked them in their misery and counselled them to make away with themselves, saying there was no hope for such as they.

Then Christian began greatly to despair.

And one day he brake out in bitter lamentation:

“Brother, what shall we do? The life that we now live is miserable. Better, methinks, to die than to live thus.”

But Hopeful answered him gently:

“Brother, rememberest thou not how valiant thou hast been heretofore? Apollyon could not destroy thee, neither all that thou didst hear and see in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What hardships and fears hast thou already gone through! And art thou now nothing but fear?”

Thus Hopeful laboured continually to strengthen his brother.

Now upon a Saturday, about midnight, Christian suddenly brake forth with a joyful voice:

“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 persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.”

Then said Hopeful:

“That is good news indeed, good brother; pluck it out of thy bosom and try.”

Then Christian pulled forth the key called Promise and put it into the dungeon lock.

And as he turned it, the bolt gave back and the door flew open with ease.

Then they went to the outward door, and that likewise opened.

Then they came unto the iron gate, for that was hardest of all. Yet the key did open it also, though the hinges made such a dreadful creaking that Giant Despair awoke and rose to pursue them.

But his fits seized him suddenly—for at times the giant was subject unto weakness—and so the pilgrims escaped his hands and got again unto the King’s Highway.

Then they set up a pillar by the roadside, and upon it they wrote a warning for all pilgrims to come:

“Over this stile is the way to Doubting Castle, which is kept by Giant Despair, who despiseth the King of the Celestial Country and seeketh to destroy His holy pilgrims.”

Now I saw that they went on their way rejoicing, though with more watchfulness than before.

***********************************

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this wonderful lesson about walking our pilgrim pathway with You and for giving us Your exceeding great and wonderful promises. Help us get them into our hearts. I am praying in Your name and believing in Your goodness and power. Amen

Pray with me and write your need in the Comments section below and I will carry them to the throne of Grace. Ken

***************************

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing, standing,

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

R. Kelso Ca¬ter, 1886)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for HE is FAITHFUL that promised;) Hebrews 10:23